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Do you remember when you were a kid and you played Wiffleball? Whether you like the skinny long yellow bat, or the short fat red one, pretty much everyone born within the last forty years have played Wiffleball sometime in their life. And why not? A Wiffleball bat and ball set can be purchased for just a few dollars at literally any store. From local grocery stores to big discount retailers such as Wal-Mart, Wiffleball bat and ball sets are pretty easy to find; especially now that spring is almost in full bloom.

While the company that created Wiffleball had created their own special rules and regulations for this fantastic game, most people just like to play with their friends and smack the ball around. The thing that makes Wiffleball so great is the fact that the ball really can not hurt anything. Seriously, it's a hollow chunk of plastic that makes a really sweet noise when it is thrown.

Because you really can't damage anything with the ball, Wiffleball has become quite popular as an indoor sport in elementary schools all across the United States. Since its hard to really make a Wiffle ball go long distance, there is no need for a large playing area, which of course also makes it an ideal game for gyms.

One really interesting fact about Wiffleball is that the company that produces the official Wiffleball game sets (bat & ball) do not use any form of advertising to promote their product. While they have done so in the past, the company had quickly realized that their profits remained the same without advertisements, and thus all their sales are due to the fact that people enjoy hitting a ball with a bat with their friends, and thus they purchase their own Wiffleball set.

If you have small children and do not own a Wiffleball bat and ball set, go out and buy one. They are dirt cheap, and trust me when I say that playing Wiffleball with your kids will produce some really nice memories for them. Ask any college student today if they ever played Wiffleball when they were a kid, and I guarantee you that you will definitely receive some smiles.

With the Number One Pick, in the 2005 NFL Draft...
Thursday, March 31, 2005

By Jared Field

...the San Francisco 49ers select wide receiver Braylon Edwards from the University of Michigan. There has been speculation, as of late, that the 49ers have not been overly impressed with either of the top two quarterbacks in this year's draft, Alex Smith (Utah) and Aaron Rodgers (California). So, what's a struggling franchise to do? Probably grab the best wide receiver prospect to enter the NFL since Randy Moss. It makes sense. Since Michigan's last second loss on New Year's Day against Texas, Edwards' NFL stock has been rising ever so steadily. He has cemented himself as the best receiver in the draft, supplanting USC's Mike Williams who missed last season for trying to challenge the NFL's draft policy for underclassmen. At 6 foot 3 inches tall and 211 pounds, Edwards has created match-up problems for defenses since he was a freshman. A big receiver who runs a 4.48 second 40-yard-dash, Edwards had entire defensive schemes put into place to stop him--but they rarely worked. Against in-state rival Michigan State this year, Edwards caught three touchdown passes in the second half to beat the stunned Spartans in overtime.

Since, by most accounts, the 49ers wanted USC quarterback Matt Leinart, who chose to stay in school, getting the best player available on offense makes perfect sense. Braylon Edwards is a can't-miss prospect and will have an immediate impact on the NFL.

Here is a list of my other favorite prospects for this year's draft:

Derrick Johnson, LB Texas: At nearly 6 feet and 4 inches tall and 240 pounds, Johnson is an amazingly agile playmaker. He would immediately become one of only a handful of linebackers in the NFL with 4.5 speed. The only knock against Johnson is that he does not possess the prototypical weight for an NFL linebacker.

Kyle Orton, QB Purdue: I actually don't mind the comparisons between Orton and former Boilermaker standout and San Diego Charger, Drew Brees. Orton will be a big body in the pocket standing at 6 feet 4 inches tall and 235 pounds. Orton has an amazingly strong arm and is very accurate throwing from the pocket. There are two knocks against him, however. Orton has a tendency to get lackadaisical in games and does not possess much in the way of athleticism.

Bryan Randall, QB Virginia Tech: This kid possesses amazing talent. He has a decent arm and quick feet. He can dodge the pass rush and make things happen in the open field. He doesn't have prototypical size to play quarterback in the NFL, but I would like to see what he can do.

Ronnie Brown, RB Auburn: The best running back in this year's draft, hands down. This guy is a beast. He runs a 4.44 40-yard-dash and weighs in at 233 pounds, need I say more?

J.J. Arrington, RB California: He could be the steal of the draft for running backs. He is not as big and tall as Ronnie Brown, but he is elusive and has 4.45 speed.

Matt Jones, WR Arkansas: Jones is my favorite Razorback of all-time. He actually was Arkansas' quarterback for the past few seasons and also played on the basketball team. Matt Jones is an amazing athlete, running a 4.39 40-yard-dash at 6 feet 6 inches tall and 242 pounds.

Mark Bradley, WR Oklahoma: Big and fast, Bradley possesses both breakaway speed and good hands. Look for him to start in the NFL next season.

Dan Cody, DE Oklahoma: Cody comes in a little underweight to play defensive end in the NFL, but he is a great athlete and a tireless worker. He is worth a top 15 pick.

Shawne Merriman, DE Maryland: He is probably the best all-around athlete in this year's draft. Merriman comes in at better than 6 feet four inches tall and 272 pounds. That sounds decent until you find out that he has a 41-inch vertical leap. At this point, I think the Detroit Lions have him pegged as their top pick.

Marlin Jackson, CB Michigan: Has 4.45 speed and prototypical size to play the Cornerback position. Jackson had a lot of experience playing both safety and cornerback at Michigan and was the Wolverines' top dog in the secondary.

I am looking forward to this year's draft; the Lions haven't disappointed me in quite some time.

Sports drinks. They can be purchased just about anywhere, but what is in them? Why do we need them? Are they beneficial for you after exercise? What about other options?

My daughter is on the track team at her school. She had a meet and asked if we could buy some of the brand name sports drinks. I inquired why, and she told me that everyone else was drinking them. Hmm, I got to wondering, what is the difference between them and a bottle of water?

Well here is what I found out. Water is actually better for hydration after strenuous exercise, but what about juice, soda, or a sports drink? Where do they come into play?

Juice is not really desirable for hydration, since the fructose that is found in juice actually inhibits the rate of absorption. Even though, it has vitamins and nutrients, it really isn't a very good thirst quencher.

A soda of any sorts really isn't good for you after exercising. The added sugar is just not good for your teeth or bones at all (in large amounts). Although the caffeine in the soda gives you a slight energy boost, in the long run, after the energy high wears off, you are back where you started, so sodas are not advisable.

Coffee, tea or beer? Well, coffee and tea are diuretics and beer acts as a dehydrator to your body, so that leaves us with sports drinks and good old water.

The difference between water and sports drink is clear.......no pun intended, but since water has no fructose like fruit juice or sugar like soft drinks have, so water really hydrates your body much faster than the other two. With sports drinks or fruit juices also, there are the extra calories that they can add (kind of an oxy-moron to someone who is trying to lose weight) and prolonged usage of sports drinks and fruit juices are not really good for your teeth either. But what about the added vitamins and minerals that a sports drink can contribute? Well, true, but when it comes down to salt, sports drink really don't give your body enough to replace what you have already lost, so you probably need to top that off with a healthy salty snack, such as peanuts.

So really, after spending time after exercising, and before you reach for that drink, examine your choices and pick the one that's best for you.

Here we are on the brink of a new baseball season, yet with the same old twist for Cubs fans. Just like last year, the Chicago Cubs will head into April with an ailing pitching staff. Ace right-hander Mark Prior and closer Joe Borowski will both likely begin the season on the disabled list, while many questions still surround the condition of starter Kerry Wood's shoulder. The Cubs opened 2004 in similar fashion, when Prior missed the first two months of the season due to a sore elbow and an Achilles tendon injury, and Wood sat out from May to July with biceps tendonitis. By the time the Cubs pitching staff was healthy, the St. Louis cardinals had a lead in the division that they would not relinquish for the remainder of the season.

Prior is suffering from inflammation in his elbow. He has seen limited action in spring training, throwing for just three innings against Seattle back on March 10, but has been pitching simulated games under the watchful eyes of Cubs' coaches and trainers. Depending on his progress, Prior could be ready to make his first start as early as April 10 or as late as April 19.

Borowski will likely miss six to eight weeks with a broken wrist sustained while attempting to field a ball hit back to the mound in a spring training game against the Royals. This setback comes on the heels of a shortened 2004 season that saw Borowski miss 109 games because of shoulder surgery. Borowski's latest injury opens the door for LaTroy Hawkins to step in as closer.

Wood, meanwhile, will get to test his shoulder in a spring training start against the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday. Out since March 9 with bursitis, tomorrow's performance will certainly go a long way towards predicting whether or not Wood will be ready to pitch in Chicago's home opener against Milwaukee on April 8 at Wrigley Field. Wood will be held out of the Cubs' first series of the season against the Diamondbacks.

For disappointed Cubs fans, all we can do is hope that the rest of the team carries the pitching staff through April and that the Cardinals get off to a slow start. Otherwise, this could shape up to be a very long season.

By Jared Field


Being an admitted basketball junkie hasn't achieved a whole lot for me in this life, and last night was no different. At fairly regular intervals during the 2005 McDonald's All-America Slamfest in Mishawaka, Indiana, the spectators were inundated with free stuff--I got nothing. (At least my friend, Hilary, took something for free off the face before settling for nothing.) But, getting nothing for free is hardly traumatic when I consider what I received for a mere ten bucks--plus 400 miles worth of gas. The McDonald's All-America Slamfest featured arguably the nation's 24 best high school basketball players on one court. This exhibition is always held two days prior to the actual All-America game and is extremely fan-friendly--especially for those lucky stiffs who got something for free.

After wading through an hour and a half of introductions, mindless vitriol and a three-point shooting contest, the main event was brought to the fore. As the players were warming up, the fans got a taste of what was to come. In fact, some of the dunks in warm-ups actually trumped the competitive dunks. The contest, from the very start, really came down to two dunkers, Amir Johnson, Rick Pitino's prized recruit at Louisville, and Gerald Green, the player of the year heading to Oklahoma State. (For the record, Duke recruiting Josh McRoberts was actually leading going into the final round, but, the 6-10 whiteboy was well out of his league.) In the end, Amir Johnson's missed dunk cost him the championship. His second dunk, one in which he sprinted the length of floor, leaping from the foul line and slamming it home, was given a perfect score. But, it was not enough to surmount Gerald Green's two made dunks. Gerald caught his second dunk off the backboard, taking the ball through his legs before slamming it home.

All-in-all it was a great night and well worth the ten dollars.

Random observations from the 2005 McDonald's All-America Slamfest:

--Not a single one of these players decided to go straight to the NBA. What gives? None of these players committed to Ohio State, so I guess money isn't a paramount concern.

--The Weikamp Center, on the campus of Bethel College, was filled WELL beyond capacity. The crowd was implored to squeeze in as much as possible--I didn't move an inch. In the end, better than 100 people with tickets were turned away at the door. According to the South Bend Tribune, these patrons were given tickets to Wednesday's game. I guess coming late pays off sometimes, with all due respect to President Lincoln.

--I was very pleased with the performance of my favorite All-American, Bay City, Michigan's, Eric Devendorf. He ran out of time leaving an entire rack of balls and still scored 16 points in the three-point contest, two less than the winner's 18. Devendorf will make the graduation of Gerry McNamara a little more manageable for Syracuse fans.

--"He's not fat, he's Husky." The University of Connecticut is getting a veritable behemoth. Andrew Bynum is a 7 foot, 300 pound giant who will allow Josh Boone to play power forward next year, leaving Charley Villaneuva to play the wing. That will be an amazing lineup and should be enough to get the Huskies back into the Final Four.

--I failed to mention the names of the judges for the dunk contest: Ahman Green from the Green Bay Packers was in the house, Chris Thomas from Notre Dame's hoop squad was also
there along with former Irish star, Laphonso Ellis, and the "Real Deal" Evander Holyfield.

--Speaking of Holyfield, I couldn't help but to think about how many of the hundred people who were turned away at the door might have been Evander's illegitimate kids.

--I'm not done with you, Evander. I doubt I am the only spectator who appreciated your ability to answer four questions during your in-game interview with six words. You are a real piece of work.

--I saw a grown man run to the concession stand after the contest to be first in line for 50-cent hot dogs. I can only assume he didn't get any free stuff, either.

--The 50-cent hot dogs may have been the only "real deal" in the gym this night.

--Ronald McDonald scares children; I will never be convinced otherwise.

--To the trooper on Interstate 69 last night, you better get a laser gun, I could see you coming.


Here is a picture I took of the festivities along with one I snapped of Eric Devendorf:

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In an earlier post I expressed my fear that the LSU women's basketball team might be getting a little too cocky after a series of blowouts in the NCAA Tournament. Those fears were born out in their game against Duke when they fell behind in the first half. Although they came back to win the game, it just goes to show what can happen to a good team if they're not pushed to the limit on a fairly consistent basis.
No matter how much talent a team has, heart and desire have to play into the contest. I'm not saying that LSU doesn't have heart, but they are human and after awhile, anyone can get the idea that they're unstoppable, especially after a series of easy wins and a great season like LSU has had.
The fact that they came back strong in the second half gives me hope that this game against Duke was a wake up call and that the easy stuff is over. With two of the top players in the nation, LSU certainly has the players to go all the way to the championship. Whether they will or not remains to be seen but all the ingredients are there.
Tonight we'll get to watch Stanford and Michigan St and Rutgers vs Tennessee which should both be interesting battles. I like Stanford to pull it off, but I'm torn between Rutger and Tennessee.
All in all, with the LSU women in the contest and the overtime battles in the men's column, it's been a good tournament. March Madness is really living up to the billing this year.

At 34 years of age, Annika Sorenstam is on top of the women's golf world. She has an established track record of success that gets longer with each passing week, month and year. Unknown to many golf fans, it is a record that tops anything that the celebrated Tiger Woods has done on the men's tour.

Last weekend, at the first of the Ladies Professional Golf Association Major Championships, Sorenstam routed the field, winning the Kraft Nabisco Championship by a full 8 shots. It was the eighth Major Title of Annika's career and her 59th professional tournament win.

Though Sorenstam has entered just three events in 2005, she has three tournament victories. By also winning her last two starts in 2004, she has now also won five tournaments in a row. Going back to the last nine tournaments she has played in, she has seven titles. Without a doubt, in the last few months of 2004 and the first three months of 2005, she has served notice to the female golf world.

Whenever Annika tees it up, everyone else might just as well be thinking second place.

The winning streak is no surprise to those who have followed the Stockholm, Sweden native throughout her amateur and professional career. After all she managed to win 7 collegiate golfing titles while at the University of Arizona and was the 1992 World Amateur Champion. The fact is, she has always seemed destined for professional accolades and she has done nothing over the years to tarnish that view.

But in spite of her run of success, all of her wins may pale when compared to her performance in May of 2003 at the PGA Tour's Bank of America Colonial Open in Fort Worth, Texas. For the first time since 1945, a woman played against the men in a PGA Golf Tournament. Competing against the best golfers in the world and teeing it up from the same tees as the male professionals, Annika more than held her own, outperforming 15 members of the men's field. Surrounded by massive galleries and facing enormous pressure to perform, Sorenstam toured the course with incredible poise and skill. It was a performance to be forever etched in the minds of male and female spectators alike, a once in a lifetime sporting event.

However, much like Tiger Woods, Annika measures her performance by winning major tournaments. Therefore, last year, was a down year in that regard for the Swede. Much to her disappointment, she managed to win only one of the Ladies Major Tournaments in 2004. But in contrast, for any other women's player, it would have actually been the best year of their respective career. Showing just how far she is above the field, a disappointing year for Annika still translated to eight tournament victories on the LPGA Tour and ten tournament titles world-wide.

Currently, Sorenstam is striking the ball as good as a golfer can. For the mere mortals of the golfing world, Annika has another streak going that is easier for the average hacker to relate to. The last time she shot an over par round was on June 27th, 2004, when she shot a one over par 73.

At 34, Annika is in her golfing prime, a time when skill and experience come together as a professional. She has already established a standard for the female golfing world, but the final legacy of this phenomenal talent is yet unwritten.

Her goal is to win all four of the women's majors in the same calendar year. And for 2005, it's one down and three to go.

When he abruptly quit as head coach of the Boston Celtics in the middle of the 2001 season, Boston sports fans labeled him a quitter. But when his Louisville men's basketball team came from 20 points down in their "Elite Eight" game with West Virginia to win on Saturday, Cardinal coach Rick Pitino and his team appeared to be anything but a quitter.

The amazing comeback victory by the Cardinals re-established Pitino as one of the games greatest coaches, at least at the collegiate level. Adding another page to an already illustrious coaching resume, the win propelled Pitino's Louisville team to the 2005 NCAA Final Four. It will be the fifth Final Four of Pitino's career and the Louisville Cardinals will be the third different college program that he has taken to college basketball's premiere event.

The win did mark an major comeback for the slick-haired coach. Often labeled a maverick but a winner, Pitino fell on hard times in his second stint as an NBA coach. Returning to collegiate coaching four years ago, Pitino began erasing the bitter memories of a failed attempt to resurrect the NBA's signature team, the Boston Celtics.

His lack of success with the Celtics came as a complete surprise to everyone in the basketball world. From 1978 through 1997, Pitino had made the lengthy climb to the top of the coaching profession. He began his career at Boston University, a smaller Division I school with little prior basketball success. There, Pitino developed the program into a consistent small college competitor, his Terriers winning 91 of 142 games during a five year period.

That record helped Pitino gain an assistant coaching job in the NBA, a move that began a period of rapid changes that lead to his maverick label. After just two years in the NBA, the love for college coaching drew Pitino to Providence College and the Big East Basketball Conference.

His impact on the program was immediate. In just his second year at Providence, the fiery coach took the Friars to the first of Pitino's Final Four appearances Though that Friars team won 25 games, the tournament run came as a complete shock to many. Pitino’s team clearly lacked the talent of many others in the tournament, but winning with a unique pressing and frantic paced style that seemed to overcome his team's weaknesses, Pitino became the talk of the coaching profession.

Utilizing that performance as a launching pad, Pitino parlayed that success into a head coaching job with the New York Knicks, the team that he had served as an assistant coach for two years previously. Much like he did at Providence, Pitino had the Knicks among the NBA's elite is just his second season with that club, winning more than 60% of their regular season games and taking that team to the NBA playoffs.

But continuing his maverick style, he again left the NBA for the college game, opting for his fourth coaching job in six years and his fifth in the matter of just 11 years. Pitino took over a Kentucky team in 1989 that was in disarray. The Wildcats were on NCAA probation for violations, and the team lacked in talent and scholarships. Once again, in just his second season at the helm, Pitino had the Wildcats winning and back among college's top basketball programs.

This time, though, the maverick stayed put, beginning one of college basketball's finest runs ever. In eight years at Kentucky, his teams won 27 or more games six times and 30 or more three times. His Wildcats made college basketball's "Elite Eight" five times, the Final Four three times, and earned the 1996 NCAA National Championship. Overall, his teams won 219 games while losing only 50 over the eight year period.

But in 1997, at the top of the college coaching profession, Pitino was lured by a big contract and the chance to coach the NBA's most storied team, the Boston Celtics. The former Boston University Coach and U-Mass player seemed a great choice to Celtics ownership, both because of his former ties to the region and his ability to turn around basketball programs.

However, for the first time in Pitino's storied career, he proceeded to struggle in his role. In three and a half years with the team, Pitino's Celtics lost more often than they won. In fact, he lost more games in each of his three full seasons with the Celtics than he lost in his last six at Kentucky combined. Those teams never came close to earning an NBA playoff spot, the Celtics topping out at 36 wins in 1998 under Pitino, a number that contrasted vividly with his final year at Kentucky where the team won 35 games while playing only half as many games.

An exhausted Pitino resigned from the Celtics in mid-season in 2001, his ego and his reputation taking an enormous hit. The timing led to the quitter label, the lack of success only adding to the barrage of criticism.

However, the fiery coach was not to be out of work long. The Louisville Cardinals soon called and Pitino returned to the college game where he has once again turned around a moribund program. As he had done every place but Boston, by his second season at the helm the Cardinals were among college's most competitive teams, winning 25 of 32 games. This year his team has already won 33 games and if the team captures two more and the NCAA title, Pitino will match the 35 wins his team earned in his final year at Kentucky.

Clearly the quitter label hurt, but statistics indicate Pitino has always been one of the games finest collegiate coaches. He entered this season as the third winningest coach in NCAA tournament play among active coaches. Even prior to the 2005 run to the Final Four, Pitino's tourney record stood at 27 wins and just nine losses, a 75% winning percentage. The four wins under his belt in this year's tourney takes him to an amazing 31-9 in NCAA play.

With two possible games remaining, Pitino is on the verge of a collegiate legacy unlike any other, the chance to win a second NCAA title with another team from the State of Kentucky. Saturday's comeback was indeed storied, both for the Cardinals and their phenomenal coach.

Pitino is back where he belongs, as a coach at the NCAA Final Four.

Well, once again I've managed to miss out on the payoff in the pool for the Final Four. It seems every year I'm just a contributor to the pot and never get to collect, but what the heck? One year I'll break even at least.
I don't really feel that bad about it this year though, as I've sat and watched a lot of the teams expected to go far in the tournament get knocked out pretty quickly.
My biggest surprise was Syracuse. I had them pegged to make the Final Four and was really surprised to see them exit so early. I'm not the only one. One of our local high school basketball coaches, a guy who's been coaching for many years, had Syracuse pegged to win it all.
That's one of the greatest things about the Final Four Tournament, the fact that every year you can expect upsets. The issue becomes not are their going to be upsets, but who is going to be upset? I can remember a few years back when Gonzaga was considered a Cinderella team. Now, after a few years of better than expected performances, Gonzaga gets beat earlier than anyone expected.
Wake Forest was another one of my picks that got knocked out early, but I was really upset by Duke going out before hitting the last round. Duke is a kind of acquired taste for me. I never really paid any attention to them or particularly cared for them until one of our local high school guys played for them. Chris Duhon was a product of Salmen High School here in Slidell, LA. At the time he was playing for Salmen, my son was in the local rec league. Salmen's head basketball coach held a clinic every summer for the local players, and Chris Duhon was always at the camps working with the kids. Since my son got to know him pretty well, we started to watch a lot of the Duke games on TV and since then we've been fans. Now that Chris is with the Chicago Bulls we don't watch as often but we still pull for them.
At least I still have Illinois, whom I've projected to be the National Champs. If they can go all the way, I can still salvage a respectable showing, although probably I won't finish in the money.
It's sure been a great weekend for the tournament. Three of the games have gone into overtime. That's about as good as it gets.
The lineup is now Louisville and Illinois and North Carolina and Michigan State. As I said before I've got Illinois picked to win the whole thing. I think North Carolina is the other side of the equation.
On the women's side, I'm looking for LSU to go all the way. They've got what it takes, but you never know when you start to get up into the tournament, anything can happen. I watched them play Liberty the other day and it was no contest, but being the number one seed helps a lot. I just hope the fact that they've cruised to three consecutive blowouts doesn't get them overconfident.

What really turns you on in sports?

For me the real excitement in sport has to be in the formulation and execution of individual or team tactics for specific games.

Every team, and every individual sportsman or sports woman in whatever sport you care to think of will generally have strengths and weaknesses. No matter how strong and invincible they look, as long as they are human, they will have some soft under belly that somebody can take advantage of to win a game.

I remember the time not too long ago when people were convinced that Mike Tyson was invincible, undefeatable. More on Iron Mike later.

Even computers programmed to play chess against mere mortals have weaknesses and that's why they draw games with humans instead of beating the hell out of them. Well, that is the subject of another article so let us not digress too much here.

The idea is to use your strength to take advantage of the weaknesses of the opponent to register a stunning win. How many memorable games have been won using this basic sports tactic? Actually more than you and I can count.

Mohammed Ali, went into the ramble in the jungle in Congo with George Foreman knowing very well that his opponent was much stronger than he was. He had no illusions as to what would happen if he let a left hook from Foreman catch him off guard. The fight would be over pretty fast and he would be the loser.

So what did Ali do? He tired out and frustrated his opponent by protecting himself and dancing around the ring, always out of reach of Foreman's heavy punches. Then when the fighter was tiring, Ali simply bounced off the ropes and ended the fight.

In fact this was really the essence of Ali as a fighter. His secret of success so to speak. He would always carefully weight his opponent and then use the correct tactics to win. I am sorry to keep on bringing up this great fighter's name in my articles, but it is good to examine the reasons why he deserves the title of "the greatest."

Still on boxing, the first boxer to defeat Mike Tyson was not a great boxer. He simply used the correct tactics to defeat "iron Mike" at his prime. He noticed that as Mike Tyson's reputation grew, the champion ended his fights early. So what would happen if somebody survived the first few rounds and tired out Tyson? So those are exactly the tactics they used, and they won.

This use of tactics to shift the balance of power in a game is what really makes sports exciting for me. What would sports be if it was all entirely predictable, if always the stronger team instead of the smarter one won. I put it to you that it would all be just too boring.

What excitement when the correct tactics gives the world a totally unknown new name winner at Wimbledon? Or causes a rare upset in the NFL?

Let us take another vivid example, this time from the world of soccer. Everybody knows Russian billionaire Roman Abromavich who bought this English soccer club called Chelsea. He used his check book to buy every world class soccer player that he could lay his hands on. But this did not give him a winning team until he got a manager who was able to come up with the right team tactics to suit the club's strengths. The manager's name is of course Jose Mourinho. Jose Mourinho has made all the difference at Chelsea.

Just like all those top team coaches in the NBA.

I really admire the careful thinking that goes behind the formulation of some devastating tactics that change the course of a game. I also greatly admire the thinkers in sports who are behind them.

How similar sports is to real life, all you need to succeed in business or at your job or in life, is to use your strengths to take advantage of the weaknesses of your opponents.

The Illinois Fighting Illini are on their way to the Final Four for the first time in 16 years, thanks to an unbelievable 90-89 overtime win against the Arizona Wildcats. Illinois' fairy tale season looked to be coming to an end when they trailed by 15 points with just over 4 minutes left to play in regulation, but they were able to conjure up one more miracle finish to keep their championship hopes alive.

Led by senior Luther Head and junior Deron Williams, the Illini posted an incredible 20-5 run to close out the second half, as Arizona suffered a total meltdown. All five of Arizona's points during the Illinois run came on free throws.

Illinois clearly had the momentum as the game moved into overtime. Head and Williams again came up big for the Illini, combining to score 8 of Illinois' 10 points. On the other side of the court, Salim Stoudamire, who nailed a last-second jumper to propel Arizona past Oklahoma State in the semifinals, was held to just 9 points and 7 assists in 39 minutes.

Illinois' next opponent is the Louisville Cardinals, who pulled off an amazing come-from-behind victory of their own as they survived 18 three-point bombs from West Virginia and battled back from a 20-point second-half deficit to beat the Mountaineers 93-85 in overtime. Illinois and Louisville will face off on April 2 at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis. The winner will advance to the national championship game against either North Carolina or Michigan State.

When you think of racquet ball, exactly what do you think of? If you are like most people, tennis comes to mind. Just because both games are played with racquets (and a small ball for the matter) does not mean that the two games are the same. Actually, in reality the games of tennis and racquet ball are fairly more different than they are the same.

You see, racquet ball is played with smaller racquets and a hollow rubber ball, usually blue in color, however the color of the ball is not deemed important. Tennis is also played with racquets and a ball, however that is about all that is similar between the two games.

While tennis is primarily an outdoor game, racquet ball is entirely an indoor game. As such, racquet ball is played in a special court, where everything including the walls, ceiling and floor are used in-game play. They are no 'out of bounds' areas, and because the game of racquet ball involves usage of walls all around you (including above and below), the game is pretty much impossible to play outside.

Still, if there are no 'out of bounds' areas, the question that comes to mind is simply; "What is the specific goal of the game?". The goal of the game is to have two players take turns smashing the small ball throughout the court, trying to make the ball bounce more than once for the other player.

If racquet ball sounds like an easy game, then you have obviously never played it. While the initial concept of the game is quite easy, remembers that racquet ball is not only a game which is difficult to master but also a game of speed. Just imagine how fast a player must move whenever the other player(s) smashes the small rubber ball against the wall. Players? That's right, just like tennis a game of racquet ball can either be played with two or four players. While most people simply play two player games, experienced racquet ball players will play games with four players, although it tends to get pretty crazy.

Racquet ball is usually confused with Squash, a game with the same basic principles of smashing a small rubber ball off a wall. Squash however can be played outside, and is much older than racquet ball. While racquet ball is pretty much an American game, squash can be considered its European cousin.

While tennis will always outshine both racquet ball and squash, racquet ball is rapidly gaining popularity, especially with college students and older men in gym clubs. The fact that racquet ball can be played indoors, and with relatively cheap equipment also add to its popularity. With its growing popularity, perhaps one day racquet ball will outshine tennis.

It's almost April, and that means that baseball fans everywhere are soon going to be watching Major League Baseball. The first game of the 2005 season is scheduled for Sunday, April 3rd, and puts the New York Yankees against the 2004 World Series champions, the Boston Red Sox.

Following this first game, all of the other teams in both the National League and American League will begin their season of one hundred fifty two games. Even though there will be a hundred fifty two games for each team, it always seems that fans are the most excited at the start of the season.

And why wouldn't they be? After a winter of basketball, hockey, and lets not forget football, baseball fans are ready for their turn again. Sure, the weather will be cold and a little rough for the first month of the baseball season, but let's not forget that baseball brings sunny, hot days.

Who will be this years World Series champions? What kind of surprises will be unfolded to baseball fans everywhere this season? The whole controversy over anabolic steroid usage within the Major League ballparks is sure to be mentioned throughout the entire season.

But let's just remember that watching baseball isn't about discussing the usage of anabolic steroids, but rather just watching America's past time.

Do you find yourself always wanting to go out and play paint ball, but find that the whole sport of paint ball has all sorts of problems? Whether you are not playing paint ball because of the high cost of the equipment, the messiness of the game or just the fear that the paint balls will really hurt when they hit you, another game exists that eliminates all of these worries.

The game is laser tag, and can be found in bowling alleys and family restaurants everywhere. Laser tag is a really great alternative to paintball, not only because it is extremely cheap,(the laser tag place provides the equipment) but also because it is not messy at all.

Players of laser tag still carry around rifles; however they also wear vests that are equipped with several sensors. As players run around the course, (usually indoors, and in a maze) they shoot other players sensors, trying to 'kill them off'. Because the game is completely composed of electronics, once a person 'dies', they can not shoot other players until a new game is started. Thus cheating is pretty much non-existent.

While laser tag is a lot of fun, it still can't really compare to the excitement of paint ball. Still if you are the least bit scarred for any reason of paint ball, or have small children who wish to play paint ball, perhaps you should consult your local phone directory and play laser tag. Who knows, laser tag may become one of your favorite new hobbies!

Tonight was the culmination of Coach Tom Izzo's yeoman-like work with this year's Spartans. Early in the season, MSU lost a hard fought battle against Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The team knew it squandered a golden opportunity to beat Duke on their home floor, and looked hungry for recompense. Tonight, Michigan State finally exorcised its biggest blue demon by beating Duke 78-68 in front of a capacity crowd in Austin, Texas. The Spartans were led by their junior center, Paul Davis, who scored 20 points and pulled down 13 rebounds. Going into this game, Coach Izzo knew full well how he was going to exploit the matchups between the two teams:

1.) Giving Duke's big man, Sheldon Williams, his 20 points would not necessarily hurt them because it would keep Paul Davis in the game to accumulate fouls. Sheldon Williams did, eventually, foul out.

2.) Taking Duke's junior sharpshooter, J.J. Redick, out of the game is no easy task, but Coach Izzo knew how to do it. He used his team's size and athletic ability to frustrate Redick into taking bad shots. Give credit to Kelvin Torbert, Michigan State's best defender, for getting into his head.

3.) Pushing the ball against Duke with freshman point guard, Drew Neitzel, was another brilliant strategy installed by coach Izzo. This kept Duke on its collective toes and did not allow Sheldon Williams to establish himself in the paint on defense.

4.) Finally, Coach Izzo orchestrated his substitutions to perfection. He exploited the lack of depth on Duke's bench by using his largesse. The Spartans got significant contributions from Torbert, Bograkos, and Trannon coming off the bench.

The effort the Spartans put into this game tonight is a testament to the preparedness of Michigan State's coaching staff. The Spartans ferociously attacked the offensive and defensive glass, they forced better than 20 turnovers, and made their free throws down the stretch. Congratulations to the Spartans for making it to the Elite Eight, maybe I'll see you in Saint Louis.

Some random Spartan tidbits:

--I can only think that Alan Anderson's NBA stock must be skyrocketing. He has put together a string of great performances in the Tournament this year and I am sure scouts have noticed. I had Anderson pegged as a late second round pick, but his play of late might just put him into the late first or early second round of the NBA draft. Anderson is an amazing all-around talent who has played four positions for the Spartans this year. He is a Minneapolis-born player, so I can maintain at least some semblance of objectivity with respect to AA.

--Give Coach Izzo credit for recruiting amazing athletes who can also play within themselves. I have yet to see a team in college basketball that is more athletic than this year's Spartan team. Between Alan Anderson, Kelvin Torbert, Shannon Brown and Maurice Ager, down time in practices must be fun. Three of the four, with the exception of Anderson, have 40-inch verticals; and that's not all, they can play the all-around game, too.

--Significant minutes for freshman point guard, Drew Neitzel, in the Tournament is bad news for the rest of the Big Ten. This kid is going to be a four-year player for the Spartans and will be a point guard in the likeness of former Spartan great, Scott Skiles. This kid can shoot just as well with his left hand as he can with his right, he has great handles and an amazing work ethic. He beat out Detroit's best, Malik Hairston and Joe Crawford, for the Mr. Basketball award in Michigan last year for good reason. Keep your eye on this kid.

--The City of Flint and the State of Michigan should be proud of the college career of senior Kelvin Torbert. The former Gatorade National Player of the Year has done everything asked of him during his four years on the team and more. He hasn't been the offensive force he was expected to be, but he has developed into a great all-around player. Every year he is rated as one of the top three defenders in the Big Ten. Good luck to you, KT, in the future. You are still Flinttown's favored son.

--Even though I have been one of Paul Davis' biggest detractors, I do recognize that he really put Michigan State over the top tonight. He played great on both sides of the ball in the biggest game of his career. But, being the forward-thinker that I am, he still needs to hit the weights. If Davis put on a mere ten pounds for next season he would drastically increase his ability to play both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball--not to mention what the addition would do to his perceived NBA readiness. So, Paul, do what I do; mix a little creatine monohydrate with some protein powder, some ice and some milk; take, drink, wait thirty minutes, and hit the weight room--and take Marquis Gray with you.

--To all the know-it-alls who didn't give Maurice Ager his props back in high school, how do you like him now? I can remember hearing everyone talk about how much better Ricardo Billings was. Well, Ricardo should have been a Spartan because he can't be enjoying riding the pine in Columbus. Big ups, Mo, and go make some more posters.

Bring on Kentucky...

Go Spartans.

Out.

Whenever anyone thinks of basketball they naturally think of the shooters. Teams work hard and design their offense to get the ball in the hands of their best shooters. While not every player can be a great shooter, it is a skill that can be developed with practice and the right technique. It's important that the player be well prepared when the opportunity arises.
Shooters are usually either inside shooters or outside shooters. The player that can consistently hit the outside shot is very valuable indeed, as the threat of an outside shooter naturally spreads the defense and allows for the pass to the inside where the percentages are much higher.
When considering outside shooting, the natural thought is to think of the three point shot, probably the most exciting shot in basketball, but the shot from inside the three point line is just as important and needs to be done correctly. There are some basic elements of the jump shot that need to be taught in order to improve performance.
The player should be taught to square up and directly face the basket. When the jump is made, it should be as straight up in the air as possible. This gives the player a more stable platform for the shot. Defensive pressure can prevent a straight up shot, but the player needs to learn to do this correctly when the chance arises. The idea of the jump shot is to get the ball over the head of the opposing player, taking the shot at the top of the jump. The extra power provided by the legs will give the player more range.
When taking the shot, the ball should be held up high, with the elbow of the shooting arm pointed at the goal. The shooting arm will provide the power while the other arm acts as a guide.
After the shot is made, the player should immediately start toward the goal. This is called following the shot. Most players will have a tendency to hang back and watch to see if the shot goes in. Break this habit as early as possible. On an outside shot, a good number of rebounds will be recovered by the shooting player and it never hurts to have an extra man under the goal.
Inside shooting is a little different. The inside game is dominated by bigger players but every player should know how to shoot the ball when close to the goal. While inside shots will be dominated by bigger players, every player should work on the mechanics of the layup. Smaller players, who are usually quicker, will have the opportunity to beat the big man on the move and get the layup.
When the path is clear for the layup shot, the player should move quickly into the lane. Use the leg opposite the shooting hand to make the jump. The biggest mistake young players make is to bang the ball off the back of the glass and have it rebound away from the basket. The ball should be pushed off easily into the glass. Most goals have a square area behind the hoop and this is where the player needs to have his eyes focused. If he can hit this area chances are the shot will go in.
Practice, practice, practice. Regardless of the type of shot it must be practiced over and over again in order to be consistently successful.

I can remember a time when the only things you could win from fantasy baseball games were bragging rights and your entry fee back. My, how things have changed! A quick Internet search revealed that there are some very serious prizes up for grabs in the (literally) thousands of different fantasy leagues out there. Consider a few of the following:

The National Fantasy Baseball Championship is a fantasy game with a $1,250 entry fee. The overall winner receives a whopping $100,000 and a crystal trophy! The game pays out to eighth place overall, awards $5,000 to each of 20 individual league champions, and also distributes weekly prizes, such as jerseys and bats signed by Major League stars.

Another website offers a "high roller" fantasy baseball game in which the winner receives an impressive $50,000 cash prize. The payouts don't stop there. $30,000 goes to the second-place finisher, while third- and fourth-place receive $20,000 and $10,000 respectively. The site offers other games, as well, for those who can't afford the $1,000 entry fee for the high roller game. One of the regular games, with an entry fee of only $39.95, pays $25,000 to the overall winner.

On a third website, with a buy-in of $99.99 per team, the overall winner has a chance to take home $20,000. This game also pays out to 20th place overall and has smaller cash prizes for individual league winners as well.

And then there is the fantasy baseball game hosted by Yahoo! Sports. The grand prize winner receives $15,000 in cash, plus a one-year contract for a position with the San Francisco Giants as an Assistant of Baseball Operations. It is a real job that pays $30,000 for the year. The contest rules stipulate that the winner must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited school and must have previous work experience.


I can't even imagine how competitive these games must be, especially as the season starts to wind down in September and a few clear leaders emerge. To win these kinds of games takes a lot of strategy, skill, a good dose of luck, and, most importantly, an intimate knowledge of baseball. I'd be willing to bet that everyone who participates in a high stakes fantasy baseball game is a major numbers geek and probably keeps spreadsheets to track his or her players' stats throughout the whole season. I know that I wouldn't be able to keep up, so I think I'll stick to my free leagues and play just for the fun of it!

If you have ever traveled through Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania within the past couple years, then you have a pretty decent chance of having seen PNC Park, the home of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Taking a quick look at the stadium, it will seem as if PNC Park is relatively old due to its classic styling. This however is not the case due to the fact that the stadium is relatively new, having opened for the Pittsburgh Pirate's 2001 season.

Compared to the other new baseball stadiums that have been erected in recent years, PNC Park is quite small. Although it is capable of holding some 38,365 people, it is still considered the smallest stadium in the MLB's National League.

Despite its small size when compared to other parks, the beauty of the classic styling is unmatched to any other Major League ballpark. The stadium has a pleasant view of the Allegheny River, along with the Roberto Clemente bridge. Looking over towards right field will give fans the ability to see the skyline of downtown Pittsburgh. Basically any direction in which someone looks, they will be presented with something truly visually appealing.

The location of PNC Park also has some historical significance. It was constructed in the same location as the two previous Pittsburgh Pirate ballparks; Exposition Park (1891 - 1909) and Three Rivers Stadium (1970 - 2001). PNC Park is also situated in clear view of the Roberto Clemente bridge, which is closed off from traffic during baseball games in order to accommodate different activities. The bridge is, of course, named after famous Pirate right fielder that played for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1955 until 1972.

If you ever have a chance to go and see PNC Park, you will be in for a real treat. With such classic styling, and a breathtaking atmosphere, it is no wonder why ESPN's Sportscenter declared PNC Park as "the best stadium in baseball".

One of the most rewarding experiences a parent can enjoy with their children is the opportunity to share participation in youth sports. Many parents will shy away from the chance, because they fell that their own limited knowledge of the game keeps them from being able to make a meaningful contribution. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Even if a parent is unable to be a coach for their child, the chance to spend time learning the basics of a game and helping their child hone his or her skills is invaluable quality time that will be long remembered and appreciated.
Of all youth sports, one of my favorites has been basketball. The pace of the game is exciting; every child has the chance to help his or her team in the game, even if they are not a star player. But in order to be of value to their team, there are some basic skills that need to be developed. In my mind the primary skill a child should develop is dribbling, and for several reasons.
First of all, the ability to handle the ball gives the player the confidence to step out on the court knowing they can contribute. If you have ever spent time watching youth basketball, you'll notice that there are some kids who don't want the ball in their hands. Should they happen to be on the receiving end of a pass or a rebound, they immediately start looking for someone to hand the ball off to. This often results in a turnover because the player lacks the confidence needed to make a positive play. Learning to dribble and handle the ball with confidence is the most important step in building the base on which all other skills are developed.
First step, get your child working on handling the ball on a regular basis. If you have a basketball court available to you that's great but any hard flat surface will do. A driveway, a street with little traffic, a backyard patio, it really doesn't matter where; just make sure it's someplace they can go to regularly.
First step is to make sure the player learns that the key to dribbling is control of the ball. This is done by using the fingers and the thumb, not the palm of the hand. Most kids will start out by slapping the ball with the palm, which means they have almost no control. I will take a small piece of tape and place it on the palm of the hand. This makes the player aware of the palm and helps them to concentrate on using the fingers and not the palm.
Eliminate the tendency to slap the ball. The fingers should come in contact with the ball before it reaches the top of its bounce and follows it up in a natural motion. The hand guides the ball in its upward motion in order to establish control, and then starts it on its downward motion with a push, not a slap.
Start with a stationary dribble. Simply have the player stand still and with the dominant hand begin the dribble, beginning with a slow regular motion. Most older kids will be able to do this easily. My daughter started playing at five years old and most of the kids on her team were able to do this within a few short practice sessions. Just a quick aside: The younger the player the shorter the attention span. If you're working with a five year old, keep your home practice sessions to 15 minutes or so. Save the longer practices for the team practice.
Remember to have the player keep the ball low. A high dribble is not only much harder to control; it's an invitation to have the ball stolen. The dribble should top out somewhere between the knee and the waist. The lower the player can dribble without hunching over the better.
After just a few short sessions, the player should be able to maintain a stationary dribble with no problem. The next step is to have the player concentrate on dribbling without looking at the ball. Simply have them practice dribbling with their eyes focused straight ahead. This is absolutely vital that they develop the confidence to handle the ball without having their eyes on it. When the games begin, they must be able to view the court in order to be aware of opportunities to pass the ball to an open player, and to avoid having the ball stolen.
Once you have your player confident in his ability to dribble with their dominant hand, begin working on the other hand using the same techniques. This will feel awkward to them at first, but practice will increase their comfort level very quickly.
Next comes the ability to switch between hands. I begin by standing on one side of the player and taking a step forward, forcing them to make the change to the other hand. After enough practice, this becomes natural to the player and can be done without even thinking about it.
Next come a few drills while walking with the ball. Have the player dribble while walking at a normal pace for about 20 feet, then switch hands for the return trip. When they begin to feel comfortable with this, you can have them alternate hands between bounces. Take it slow and easy at first. Their natural tendency will be to drop their eyes to the ball when they start to move. Have them practice with their head erect and forward. I like to walk back and forth at a slight distance in front of them while they're learning this drill. This begins the process of learning to be alert and aware of the location of other players while on the court.
As the layer becomes more confident in their ability, the speed of movement is increased gradually, until the player can handle the ball with confidence while moving at a regular jog, then at full speed. Once a player becomes able to move quickly down the court at a good pace with heir head up looking for the open man, you'll have a valuable addition to any basketball team.
As the player develops their skills in handling the ball, it becomes time to start applying some pressure in order to have them develop the habit of using their ball handling skills.
You do this by having the player dribble toward the goal at a good pace while you are standing in front of the goal in a defensive position. Alternate moving from the left to the right as they come toward you, forcing them to change hands while dribbling. Anything you can do to simulate a game type situation will be valuable. Just remember not to overwhelm them with your size or reach. The idea here is to help them develop confidence and stimulate an instinctive feel for handling the ball in a game situation.
Most importantly, have fun. Enjoy the time you spend with your child or the players you are coaching. I can tell you from personal experience that the time passes quickly. Enjoy it while it's there.

I doubt I am the only one who has noticed the up tick in media coverage of the Women's NCAA Basketball Tournament. Today, in my local newspaper, the lead story was about Michigan State's 2-point win over the woman of Troy, USC, last night. I assume most people do not take the time to consider why such stories seem to be popping up in print and on television; but, I've taken notice.

Since when do American sports fans care, even a little bit, about women's basketball? The last time I checked, the WNBA was a complete failure in terms of its revenue; and, women's college basketball hasn't faired much better. A fairly recent survey published in the Orlando Sentinel found that in 2002-2003, of the 117 Division 1 woman's programs, only seven actually made more revenue that they lost to expenses. Seven. Now, one has to think there is a reason for this. It's simple; woman's sports do not interest sports fans in the United States. Even women, when given the choice to watch women's or men's sports, choose to watch the men.

Another sad reality of the binary of men's and woman's sports is how one subsidizes the other. At universities like Michigan, Ohio State, Miami, Oklahoma etc. woman's sports are paid for by men's football and basketball revenues. So, what's wrong with that? Well, it doesn't really bother me until I read about litigation being levied again universities for not having as many scholarships available for women as for men and for not having as many sports for women and for men. I mean, do we expect are universities to be able to maintain an equal number of sports for men and women even when the women's sports are operating at a loss? Enough already, university sports are not run by UNICEF, they need revenue to operate. So, with the burgeoning number of women's sports and scholarships how have universities decided to handle the upsurge in expenses? Higher tuition and higher ticket prices at popular men's sports. For this, we have Title IX to thank. If you don't know what Title IX is, look it up.

So, getting back to my earlier gripe, why the disproportionate coverage? First, stories about women and athletics give newspapers and other media outlets the opportunity to be seen as progressive and politically correct. I mean, if a newspaper were giving a lot of face time to the Westminister Dog Show, people would complain; but, most people choose to just grin and bear the excessive coverage of women's sports in the media because it can be a touchy subject. Second, media outlets are attempting to latch on to longstanding fervor certain people reserve for their favorite universities. For example, if the University of Michigan--my favorite school--were in the Frozen Four of college hockey, I should probably care about. But, I don't and I think I am in the majority on this one. In my opinion, if a person has no interest in a sport like women's basketball or college hockey, nothing is going to change that--not even a successful team from an alma mater.

Media outlets are really missing the boat on this one. In the long run they are only going to alienate their base--male sports fan--by shoving this tripe down our throats. I can remember being in high school when the NBA starting advertising the WNBA with the slogan, "we got next." Well, the WNBA is yet another women's basketball entity that operates in the red. Without the NBA and its hefty subsidies the WNBA would be in the ground someplace NEXT to the World League of American Football.

I write this not to inflame the very narrow fan base of women's sports, but to merely make a point about media coverage. Giving undue attention to endeavors to which the public is indifferent is not smart. It alienates fans like me and might compel someone to watch woman's basketball, which, if you ask me, is the last thing the NCAA wants you to do. Unless you are watching one of six or seven different teams, you are in for some really ugly basketball. What you'll hear in the media in this: The woman's game is more fundamental, they have better shooters. This is complete nonsense. Anyone who has watched the WBNA or NCAA women's basketball knows that there are more turnovers on the floor than there are bowl-cuts in the stands. I also find it interesting, with respect to shooting, that the women are allowed to use a smaller ball with the same size basket. How then can we make any assertions about who shoots better? It's not even a fair fight.

Woman's sports will always player second fiddle to men's, that is life. Women are not possessed with the same physiology as men and do not even compare athletically. This does not mean that women's sports do not have their place in this country, they most certainly do. But, let's try to be a little more realistic about the interest level in woman's sports in this country--it's just not there.

Down with Title IX.

Out.

When most people think of professional baseball, it seems that it is impossible for Major League Baseball not to be the first and only thing to pop into mind. After all, the MLB Association has been around for more than a hundred years.

While a lot of other baseball leagues have come and gone in the past, today there exists a league known as the Frontier League, which is trying to make a solid impact on baseball fans everywhere. The league is operating with twelve teams spread across the eastern states of the Mississippi river.

How And When The League Was Started

The Frontier League was started in late 1992 / early 1993 and officially became an organization in June 1993 with eight teams which played in local high school / college ballparks.

From its humble beginnings in 1993, the Frontier League has steadily rose in almost every viable area. Over the years the teams have changed their locations, as well as new teams have been introduced into the league. The home fields of the teams have also changed from rugged high school baseball fields to small stadiums devoted specifically towards the specific Frontier League ball club.

Improvements Have Been Made To Increase Fan base

Another improvement the league has seen in recent years is the amount of fans each Frontier League team has. When the league first started out back in 1993, very few people actually paid attention, or even acknowledged the Frontier League. Today, thanks to the drastic improvements in the locations of the ballparks, many people attend Frontier League ballgames.

The Frontier League Isn't The Major League, It's The Frontier League

While the Frontier League is not the Major League, watching a game played by teams of the Frontier League is just as fun as watching a game played by MLB players, and it's way cheaper too. Still there are lots of high profile players playing for the Frontier League. If you check out the Frontier League's official website (http://www.frontierleague.com/) you will see that Frontier League players are drafted by the MLB Association on a day to day basis.

So if you just like going out with friends and / or family and having a fun time, perhaps you should go and watch a Frontier League baseball game this upcoming season. As mentioned before, there are twelve teams, and if you live in the north eastern United States, chances are you live close to one of the following twelve teams;

East Division Teams ;

Washington Wild Things (Pennsylvania)
Chillicothe Paints (Ohio)
Evansville Otters (Indiana)
Florence Freedom (Kentucky)
Ohio Valley Redcoats (Illinois)
Richmond Roosters (Indiana)

West Division Teams;

Kalamazoo Kings (Michigan)
Gateway Grizzlies (Illinois)
Mid-Missouri Mavericks (Missouri)
Rockford RiverHawks (Illinois)
River City Rascals (Missouri)
Windy City ThunderBolts (Illinois)

So sometime while you are sitting at home looking for something to do this summer, perhaps you should check out a ballgame involving teams from the Frontier League. Remember, the ball players on these teams are not exactly out there playing for the money, but rather for the love of the game, and that is something that is worth every penny of the small ticket price.

The man of the hour, Jose Canseco has brought the real life drama of using steroids in Major League Baseball to the masses with his recently released book entitled; Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant 'Roids, Smash Hits & How Baseball Got Big. The book has been receiving a lot of free publicity lately in all the different forms of media ranging from radio talk shows to reviews of the book in local newspapers. The only problem with this entire free media coverage is that a lot of people do not really know the whole situation of Jose Canseco. You see, Jose retired from baseball back in 2002, but his career was always blanketed with him receiving abuse for his usage of steroids.

But what about his career? The only thing that has been going on in the media about Jose Canseco is the fact that he has written a book telling the world about the usage of anabolic steroids in
Major League Baseball, and the fact that Jose Canseco was one of the most, if not the most amazing baseball player of the late 1980's / early 1990's.

The Start of Jose Canseco's Baseball Career

Jose Canseco made a big splash when he first became enrolled in the American League in 1986, under the Oakland Athletics. With thirty three home runs in his first season, he was declared as the American League Rookie of the Year. His first season was just a taste of what was to come. The following season, he was joined by first baseman Mark McGwire, and both players helped the Oakland
Athletics totally rip apart the other teams for several years.

In 1988 Canseco did something that no other Major League ball player had ever done before. In a single season, Canseco hit forty home runs, and stole forty bases. That is quite an accomplishment, and helped award Jose with the award of being the American League's Most Valuable Player of 1988. The officials in the Major League Baseball association even created a 40 / 40 club, in which he was the initial member. (40/40 club refers to the forty home runs, and the forty stolen bases)

After the wonderful baseball season, which was 1988, Jose Canseco finally had what some would call a bad season. Early in 1989, Jose Canseco found himself to be injured for what would be considered
most of the season. This was also the only year the Oakland Athletics would win the World Series with Jose Canseco being a member of the team.

In 1990 Jose Canseco came back to his initial strength, with an amazing forty-four home runs. The Athletics also made it to the World Series this year, however they were defeated in four games by
the Cincinnati Reds. After 1990, the rest of the 1990s were not really nice to Jose Canseco. In 1992 he was traded from the Oakland Athletics to the Texas Rangers, and with this trade, Jose's career began to slow.

The Beginning of The End

Soon, Jose Canseco would be thrown around from team to team with a long list of injuries. Jose left the Texas Rangers for the Red Sox starting in the '95 season. His stint with the Red Sox only lasted two years before he began playing with his original team, the Oakland Athletics for a single season, before playing for the Blue Jays for a season.

After jumping around teams, (two teams in two years) Jose Canseco found some job security, as he played two seasons with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays before playing for the Yankees and White Sox, each for a season respectively. Jose Canseco really did not have much of a chance to really show what he was capable of after 1997, mostly because he was always too busy changing teams, and not spending time towards a devoted team. In the end however, Jose Canseco called it quits and retired from baseball at the end of the 2002 season.

A Truly Great Ballplayer

Jose Canseco should always be remembered for his early years with the Oakland Athletics. He should also be, as mentioned earlier, one of the best, if not the best outfielders of the late 1980's / early 1990's. Now that you know a small bit of information about his career, you will now be able to understand his stance on the whole usage of anabolic steroids by reading his book, Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant 'Roids, Smash Hits & How Baseball Got Big.

In recent years, the NBA Trade deadline has brought with it a flurry of last minute deals as teams out of the title chase and the playoff hunt essentially give up on their seasons. Attempting to cut costs, these teams unload players with high salaries, hoping to free up future cap room to seek new free agents in the off season. In return, these teams welcome draft choices that may help further the rebuilding process.

On the flip side, teams on the playoff bubble or looking to make a title run have responded by trading for high salaried players, hoping the trades bring the missing piece of the puzzle. In 2004, the Detroit Pistons pulled such a last minute swap, securing the talents of Rasheed Wallace in what was then termed a block buster move. That trade proved to be everything the Pistons could want, pushing the team over the top and setting the stage for their surprising title run.

This year NBA fans witnessed the same flurry of moves. Among the major names to be moved, the struggling New Orleans Hornets traded talented guard Baron Davis to Golden State. Retooling its team, the Sacramento Kings unloaded All Star forward Chris Webber and his huge contract to the Philadelphia 76ers while the floundering Atlanta Hawks likewise dumped Antoine Walker's contract in a trade with the Boston Celtics.

Of all the trades, the one thought to have the most positive impact on one team was the 76ers-Kings deal that moved Webber to 76ers. Philadelphia had been battling Boston for the Atlantic Division title and the NBA pundits saw the acquisition of Webber has being the missing piece for the Sixers.

Webber was thought to be the strong power forward the 76ers needed, the player that could take some of the load off of the irrepressible Allen Iverson. NBA Beat writers heaped mounds of praise upon Philadelphia management for bringing so much talent to the team and critical support for Iverson. These same pundits immediately anointed the Sixers as the team to beat in the Atlantic Division and even insisted the team had become a potential Eastern Conference finalist that could compete with the Pistons and the Heat.

In Boston, the Celtics deal for Walker was panned as another mistake by General Manager Danny Ainge. The former Celtic, now in his second year running the basketball operations for Boston, had traded Walker away the year before, questioning the leadership of the power forward and insinuating that Walker wanted more money than he was worth. Re-acquiring Walker caught everyone in Boston by surprise.

Making the deal extra puzzling, Ainge traded away a number one draft choice and point guard Gary Payton in the deal. Payton had been one of the Celtics most consistent performers in the 2004-2005 season and had served as a positive role model for some of Boston's younger players. Celtic fans were especially peeved at the trade as the team was giving up a future number one draft choice and did not have a player ready to assume the important point guard role.

But as curious as the deal seemed, it is the Celtics who have seen the trade deadline serve as the catalyst to put the team over the hump. Since Walker's return, the Celtics have gone on the type of winning streak the Sixers was supposed to see. The Celtics have won eleven of the twelve games since the trade and have taken a five and a half game lead in the Division thought to be Philadelphia's at the time of the deadline.

Topping off the unusual nature of the trade, Payton insisted he would not play for the Hawks so Atlanta bought out the former Celtic point guard's contract. After the buyout, Payton promptly resigned with the Celtics for the remainder of the 2005 season. Now the Celtics have Walker and Payton, along with a lengthy winning streak and first place in the standings. Ainge's critics are now starting to admit that he may have made the steal of the NBA trade deadline.

Stalwart Celtic fans are cautiously optimistic. The move may have pushed the team to the top of the Atlantic Division but the Eastern Conference is still the home of the World Champion Pistons and the Shaq-led, Miami Heat. However, the Celtics are now a solid third in the Conference behind those titans and the re-acquisition of Antoine Walker appears to have turned the Celtics into a legitimate playoff contender.

By Jared Field

The month of March is the greatest month for sports every year, and this year is no different. Yesterday I took my yearly sojourn to the Breslin Center, on the campus of Michigan State University, for the Michigan High School Basketball semi-finals. This makes for an exciting and inexpensive weekend of the best high school hoops Michigan has to offer. This weekend has afforded me a little time to stop and think about the state of high school basketball today, and where it is headed for the future. Being a basketball junkie, I have a very solid foundation of knowledge supporting my thoughts and opinions on the sport. I have written numerous times on the pervasive money culture in the National Basketball Association, as well as the propensity of college basketball's best to leave school early for the NBA. But, I have never made it a habit of criticizing high school sports, commensurately. High school basketball, my favorite sport to watch, has been regressing over the past few years. Not, necessarily, in terms of its popularity or its excitement, but with respect to quality of play. In addition to this, I think many programs have forgotten that high school basketball teams are not farm clubs for college--most players will never play at the next level. I firmly believe that the declination of the quality of high school basketball, at least in my state, can be attributed to just a few very specific things:
1.) Early recruitment
2.) AAU
3.) "potential"

Early Recruitment

College coaches and prep analysts do not even allow players to develop before they become targets of interest. Coach Bobby Knight, the former head man at Indiana University, freely admits to recruiting his former star guard, Damon Bailey, in the eighth grade. Where I come from that is middle school. Not only does early recruitment, such as this, taint the quality of play in high school basketball, it also dilutes the quality of the college game. Players often do not round into form the way recruiters expect, thus wasting precious scholarships and time on underdeveloped players. In addition to this, oftentimes early recruitment becomes an impediment to high school coaches. I have seen numerous high school players of promise become selfish before my very eyes--players who begin to read their own press clippings and hype in publications like Vince Baldwin's PrepSpotlight. Early recruitment has given players an excuse to become too big for their britches, at the expense of their coaches and teammates. I am of the opinion that these young people should not be contacted by recruiters until the summer prior to their senior year. This way student can concentrate more of their time on schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and just being kids.

AAU

AAU basketball, at least in terms of its inflated importance to high school basketball recruiting, is relatively new. In the state of Michigan it has surpassed the actual high school basketball season as the most important venue for the appraisal of talent. AAU leagues in Michigan basically amount to summer leagues for players that have been deemed to be college-bound, or at least have shown signs of POTENTIAL--players angling for scholarship opportunities. Just this season I have seen numerous players in my hometown hyped for their performances on the AAU circuit, only to be brought back down to earth when the ACTUAL season began. AAU was not good for these players because it over inflated their ACTUAL ability. AAU basketball, truth be told, is no different than your run-of-the-mill pro-am exhibition; teams do not play defense. Players with average scoring ability are made to look great and players with great scoring ability are made to look like phenomenons. In spite of this, college coaches and recruiters still lean heavily upon AAU basketball--and not just because they have more free time in the summer. The evolving importance of early recruitment and AAU basketball to high school recruiting both hinges upon one word, POTENTIAL.

"POTENTIAL"

Everything in high school basketball recruiting these days can be summarized with one word, "POTENTIAL." Players are no longer critiqued simply on how they play the game--their ability. Nowadays, players accrue or relinquish value like cattle on the futures market. The question is not how good a player is, but how good a player MIGHT be. The sole criterion for judging a player in this way is his physical prowess, plain and simple. Height is everything. If a player has height he is worth recruiting, no matter what. In my hometown, there are two highly recruited post players, one a 6 foot 9 senior and the other a 7 foot junior. Neither one of these players could fight their way out of a wet paper sack. They are underdeveloped, underweight and are the benefactors of having the hype machine working for them early on. Meanwhile, at a school closer to the city, there is a six foot five inch player who can play three positions, with tremendous shooting and ball-handling ability, who has been overlooked because he's been dubbed a "tweener"--one who doesn't fit the prototypical size pattern. At what point are we going to realize the success on the basketball court is not a factor of prototypes? The sole criterion, in my mind, should be how well you can play the game. Measurements of POTENTIAL and TALENT only take you so far, one must keep tabs on how those things translate onto the court. Here is a list of Michigan basketball players, high school, college and professional, who embody the binary at hand: Should basketball recruiting be about kinesis or potential? The Kinetic Kids

(Suppliers of motive force. Buzzwords: "gamers," "tweeners," "positionless," not widely recruited etc.)

Here is a list that I have compiled of players, in the last 7 or 8 years, who have had great success at the game of basketball in spite of little interest in early recruitment, AAU face-time, or tremendous hype. Many of these players were labeled, "tweeners" long before they ever got to college. These players were all great in high school, but most were not considered prototypes. --Shane Battier 6'8'' 220 lbs, Detroit Country Day High School: Shane was heavily recruited out of high school and went to Duke. But, after spending four years at Duke playing impeccable basketball and improving every year, he was passed over by 5 different teams before being picked. The first overall pick in the 2001 NBA draft was Kwame Brown, the poster-boy for POTENTIAL. In his intervening 4 years in the NBA, Brown has averaged 7 points and 5 rebounds per game. Compare that to Battier, who has averaged 11 points and 5 rebounds per game and playing better defense.
--Takias Brown 6'9'' 240 lbs, Flint Central High School: Takias is a dominant power forward who came into his own late in his high school career. He proved himself to be the best big man on the floor at the BCAM all-star game last year; a game in which he outshined post players who had already received scholarships from Rutgers and Michigan State. Tak is currently playing JUCO ball in Illinois. Tak Brown: Good size, no hype, no D-1 scholarship.
--Corey Santee 6'2'' 185 lbs, Flint Southwestern Academy: Couldn't jump over a roll of quarters but started at point guard for TCU for four years. He averaged 15 points and 4.5 assists per game for his career. Not heavily recruited in or out of state. Helped groom Brandon Bell into a legit D-1 caliber player.
--D'Mario Curry 6'6'' 190 lbs, Madison Heights High School: I can offer no explanation for his lack of recruitment. He has the size and the talent. I must be missing something.
--Nick Stapelton 6'0'' 175 lbs, Flint Carman-Ainsworth High School: Not heavily recruited because of his size, just barely six feet tall. But, he started four seasons for Austin Peay at point guard leading them in scoring and assists for his final two seasons. His senior year Nick was in the top five in the nation in scoring.
--David Hoskins 6'5'' 225 lbs, Plymouth-Salem High School: Passed on by high D-1 programs, Hoskins played the wing for Central Michigan and Schoolcraft Community College before transferring to Kansas State.
--Anthony Townsend 6'2'' 195 lbs, Wyoming Kelloggsville High School: I've lost track of Anthony, but I cannot imagine him not playing at all. He was third team all-state with D'Mario Curry, but lacks the kind of size recruiters are looking for.
--Robert McRae 6'1'' 180 lbs, Grand Blanc High School: Played his freshman season for Saginaw Valley State and his sophomore season for Coach Schmidt at Mott Community College. Robert is a great shooter and a great athlete, hardly a gamble.
--Zach McGee, 6'3'' 190 lbs, Flint Carman-Ainsworth High School: Outrebounded 6' 10''Michigan State signee, Goran Suton, in the Michigan class A state championship game last year. But, at only 6'3'' he was only recruited by a handful of smaller D-1 and JUCO programs. McGee is very capable of playing shooting guard or small forward at the next level, regardless of his size.
--Matt Jakeway 6'4'' 205 lbs, Flushing High School: Matt passed up football for basketball, finishing out his career as a starter for Kent State. Not heavily recruited for basketball.
--Mike Gaines 5'9'' 165 lbs, Flint Central High School: Deemed to small to play Division 1. I know better. Amazing handles, great shooter, instant excitement on the floor.
--Brandon Stephens 6'5'' 225 lbs, Flint Carman-Ainsworth High School: Did not gain a lot of experience in high school, having only played one and a half seasons of varsity. But, when he did play, he was the best in his conference. This past season, he led his team to the district title averaging 20 points and 12 rebounds per game. He can play shooting guard, small forward or power forward at the next level. But, because he was pigeonholed into playing the center position in high school, he has been overlooked by most D-1 recruiters.
--Derek Fracalossi 6'4'' 210 lbs, Davison High School: Not heavily recruited by D-1 schools because of his lack of size for his natural position, small forward. Frac is a smart player, a good athlete, and should be able to contribute at Western Michigan as a preferred walk-on.
--William Hatcher 6'2'' 190 lbs, Flint Carman-Ainsworth High School: Not heavily recruited out of high school because of his smallish stature. At just over six feet tall, he lacks the advantage of seeing over his defenders. But, in spite of this, Hatcher led the University of Miami-Ohio to the regular season title in the Mid-America Conference. He started at point guard, and averaged 10 points and 3 assists per game.
--Derrick Nelson, 6'4'' 220 lbs Lansing Everett High School: Playing out of position in high school, at least by collegiate standards, but is a hard-nosed defender and a solid offensive player. Certainly the kid is worth a mid-major D-1 scholarship.
--Tim Bograkos 6'2'' 190 lbs, Flint Central High School: Plays important minutes at the point guard position for Michigan State. Deemed too small to be a serious basketball or football prospect.
--Jerel Allen 6'4'' 190 lbs, Detroit Cody High School: Not heavily recruited out of high school but spent two years at MCC in Flint and is now being recruited by the Big 12, amongst others.
--Jay Youngblood 6'5'' 215 lbs, Southfield High School: Many schools took a pass on Youngblood and left him for MCC in Flint. He spent his two years at Mott, won the player of the year award, and transferred to Kent State. In the Golden Flashes' last game of the year, Youngblood scored 29 points.
--Paul Johnson 6'1 185 lbs, Flint Northern High School: Paul is a tremendous athlete and a hard-nosed defender. He might be a football player at heart, but I am convinced he would make a great shooting guard at the next level.
--J'Nathan Bullock 6'4'' 225 lbs, Flint Northern High School: Bullock vastly improved his shooting and dribbling ability to go along with his power game this past season. As a senior, he averaged better than 20 points per game and 10 rebounds in one of the top conferences in the state of Michigan. He did not, however, receive any hype in state. At only 6'4'' Bullock does not have the ideal height to play either the small or power forward position. But Bullock is a gamer, and Cleveland State is getting a three-year starter, no doubt.
--David Kool, 6'2'' 190 lbs, Grand Rapids South Christian High School: An extremely underrated player who has a knack for positioning himself to score at will. He is one of the smartest players I have ever had the pleasure to watch. He should be a high D-1 prospect but is still projected to be a mid-major guy. If Michigan were smart, they would forget Jerret Smith and wait on David Kool.Potential Players

(Capable of being, but not yet in existence. Buzzwords: prototypes, hyped, physically talented, raw, future, projects etc.)

What follows is a list of highly-recruited players, most of whom have had the advantage of having prototypical size for their position, an extended AAU career, or a hype machine working overtime. --Gary Lee 6'5'' 175 lbs, Flint Northern High School: Probably the least known, least deserving, player to receive a big ten scholarship in this state. Lee received a scholarship from Northwestern University for reasons yet to be determined. Lee wasn't even the best player on his team. I can only guess that NW's coaching staff saw his size, 6'6'', his position, shooting guard, and just assumed he was a can't miss. They missed. Lee never saw the floor as a freshman and, by the end of the season, was academically ineligible. It seems that Northwestern's head coach, Bill Carmody, wasn't the only one not doing his homework.
--Vernon Carr 6'0'' 180 lbs, Detroit Redford High School: The jury is still out on this kid, but I know that schools passed over a couple of better players in favor of Carr's POTENTIAL. He passes well, dribbles well, shoots well, but never has been overly impressive at the point guard position. He was fortunate to have a little help from Rodney Heard, recruiter for the Memphis Grizzlies, during his recruitment.
--Ricky Morgan 6'0'' 190 lbs, Pontiac Northern High School: Highly recruited by many schools coming out of Pontiac, Michigan. He played point guard for Iowa State before fizzling out due to his inability to develop his outside shot. From there he went to Paris (Texas) Junior College, then to Schoolcraft Community College (Michigan) and on to the University of Nevada-Las Vegas where he averaged 4 points and 2.3 assists per game.
--Olu Famutimi 6'5'' 200 lbs, Flint Northwestern High School: This one hurts. Famutimi was one of my favorite players to watch coming out of Flint. He is probably the most amazing athlete we have had in the city. He was a McDonald's All-American despite being injured in his senior season, and was Stan Heath's prized recruit at the University of Arkansas. But, Famutimi has not reached his potential--not even close. His shooting is abysmal and he hasn't developed his ball handling skills to play on the wing. Everything about this guy, in terms of his physical prowess, is prototypical. He's an amazing athlete, but only a decent basketball player.
--K'len Morris 6'4'' 190 lbs, Grand Blanc High School: The latest victim of early recruitment. The 6'5' wingman signed with the University of Michigan as a sophomore and now has Michigan fans miffed. Morris is a good player, don't get me wrong, but sophomore commitments are rarely ever good for a player's development. There weren't any glaringly obvious improvements in his game this past season. He has a lot to prove and only a year to do it.
--Jaquan Hart 6'6'' 175 lbs, Flint Northern High School: Hart first signed with Michigan, then with Ohio State, and finally with Eastern Michigan. He has what most would consider the perfect height for the two-guard position, 6'6'', but plays without heart and will probably never get a better opportunity to shine on a basketball court. He never put the time in the weight room or the classroom. It's really too bad because he was a great high school player.
--Paul Davis 6'11'' 240 lbs, Rochester High School: Paul was one of the biggest prospects in Michigan State basketball history. Davis was the consensus number one post player in the nation when he signed with MSU. Since then, he hasn't improved one facet of his game. He doesn't rebound well for a player his size, his scoring has remained static, and he gets dominated by lesser-known post players with stunning regularity. Even the inference that Davis could have left MSU early for the NBA seems almost ghoulishly laughable.
--Zach Gibson 6'9'' 195 lbs, Grand Blanc High School: Gets the "Gary Lee Award" as the most overrated player in the State of Michigan in 2005. Gibson, to be sure, has the most to prove in college. Like his conference-mate Tom Herzog, Gibson has no strength and little athleticism to play power forward at the next level. But, what he has is height. He should probably have his name legally changed to "6'9'' Gibson."
--Lenny Cooke 6'6'' 205 lbs, Northern Valley NY, Lasalle Academy, MCC Flint: Billed as the ying to Lebron James' yang a couple years ago, this infant journeyman changed high schools a couple of different times but could not manage to stay eligible. He ended up in my hometown, Flint, at Mott Community College, but could not play hoops for the Bears. His size and athleticism make recruiters salivate, 6'6'' and 205 pounds. But, the guy cannot get his head right and will continue to be a drifter; too bad for Saint John's and North Carolina.
--Goran Suton 6'10'' 245 lbs, Lansing Everett High School: Suton was Michigan State's worst recruiting decision since Drew Naymick. (Think way, way back.) Prototypical size for a collegiate center, 6'10'' and 250 pounds, but looks lost most of the time and cannot impose his will on anyone. He was the fourth best player on his high school team, as a senior, and should not see the floor for MSU. The fourth best center at the BCAM all-star game last year in Brighton, behind Dan Waterstradt of Detroit Catholic Central.
--Brian Moten 6'3'' 175 lbs, Saginaw Arthur Hill High School: Moten is a good shooter with decent quickness and very near prototypical shooting guard height; but, he is not a gamer. He committed to Western Michigan and then did not qualify. He then went to Cincinnati Christian in Ohio. Currently, Moten appears to be M.I.A. somewhere in Virginia.
--Tom Herzog, 7'0'' 205 lbs, Flint Powers Catholic High School: At seven feet tall, this kid is being recruited by everyone. With one season left in high school, Tom has to get stronger, much stronger. As is, he is a great shot-blocker with a nice touch around the basket. But, he is about as soft as a milkshake in a sandwich bag. Without the addition of a fair amount of strength, Herzog will get his lunch taken in college.
--Walter Waters 6'10'' 280 lbs, Detroit Southeastern High School: First recruited to play for Pittsburgh, then Cleveland State, then Schoolcraft Community college. Recruitment doesn't usually follow such a path, but Waters is really big and not very good. Playing with Brandon Jenkins (Louisville) probably helped Waters immensely with recruiting.
--Drew Naymick 6'10'' 250 lbs, North Muskegon High School: Heavily recruited for his size, 6'10'' and 235 pounds, but he rarely sees the floor for Michigan State. He averages 2 points and 2 boards per game
--Kirk Walters 6'10'' 240 lbs, Grand Rapids South Christian High School: Recruited by Arizona, has the size, has the frame, but is soft and barely ever sees the floor. He averaged 2 points and 1 rebound per game in his second season with the Wildcats. The last time I saw him play he was being well received by the Wildcat faithful; it reminded me of the many ovations received at the Palace by Darko Millic.
--Erik Tucker 5'9'' 160 lbs, Grand Blanc High School: Most everything prep analyst in the state of Michigan was high on this kid after a great AAU season this past summer. Tucker rarely scored more than five points a game for Grand Blanc, and is yet another victim of undeserved hype. And so, the long and short of it is this: The smart money is on players who can play NOW. Who is to say that such players have met their full potential? Recruiting on the basis of potential is risky and often leads to first round NCAA tournament ousters from WAC teams.

Play it smart.

Tak Brown to MSU in 2006.

Out.

Recently during the European Skating Championships I was watching the men's short program with both of the boys. My eldest has a great ear for music and dance, and I said that he could think about doing ice skating if he wanted to in a year or so. He thought for a moment and said that he would like to try that. I think it's the narrow blades that put him off, he's not that fond of falling over! We talked about it for a while and he seemed convinced that this might be a nice thing to learn.

Then I made a mistake. In my enthusiasm to encourage him to take up a sport, I over-sold it by pointing out that his little brother might not be so good at it because he was a little heavier, but that he might be a good hockey player - this little one has been shoving a ball or other assorted toys around with a junior hockey stick since he was a year old and just standing on his feet! My eldest thought for a moment and then frowned. But I likes hockey, I want to play hockey too, he says.

Sigh! What's a mom to do? If their little bodies stay the same shape and just get proportionately bigger, I'd have no reservation allowing the younger one to play hockey, he seems to have be born with the shape and desire to fill a hockey goalie's space. The older one though, I don't know. I know that I'm over protective of him what with him being an ex preemie and all, but there just doesn't seem to be anything on him to weight him to the ice! I'd be terrified every time he set foot on the ice!

There's time yet. They're only 4.5 and 1.5 respectively. There's also a glimmer of hope - watching the ice dance championships the following afternoon, the eldest one thought that it might be lots of fun to be able to skate with a girl and you'd have to be big and strong to be able to lift her up like that, he says as if displaying some form of testosterone even at his early age. I happily agree, this time knowing not to make any further comment!

Katie-Anne Gustafsson

by Eric Drouant
Slidell, LA
(edrouant@charter.net)

Yesterday (March 17) we saw a slew of major league stars appear before Congress and declare that baseball has a steroid problem but that's it's only a small problem, that there is no blatant and widespread use of performance enhancing drugs throughout the league.
In what seemed to me to be a series of acting tryouts, members of the House Government Reform Committee all showboated with expressions of love for the game of baseball but launching attacks on the new MLB drug policy and stated that the government could possibly step in if the league doesn't take more stringent action to clean up their act.
All of the players that testified, except for that shining example to our youth Jose Canseco, stated that they were not now nor had they ever been users of steroids, although some repeatedly avoided direct question. The most intriguing responses from my point of view came from Mark McGwire. Despite direct questioning, McGwire refused to unequivocally state that he had never used steroids. Hmm. Now I may not be the most intelligent person on earth, but it seems to me that an innocent person asked a direct Yes or No question could find the fortitude to respond with an absolute denial. What possible reason could McGwire have for not simply just saying "No.? I have never used steroids." To the average person, his refusal to be blunt screams guilt.
Throw in the fact that Jose Canseco claims to have personally injected McGwire with steroids when they were on the same team in Oakland and you raise a real issue of credibility. Whether you like Canseco or not, the fact that he's willing to stand up and say, in essence, "I am guilty." lends credibility to his claims.
My belief is that the extent to which steroid use has permeated the leg will become self evident over the course of the next year or two. The primary indicator in my view will be the performance of the top four or five hitters in the league and here's why I believe that.
Assuming for the sake of argument that the blowout of home run records in recent years has been the result of performance enhancing drugs, we should witness a falloff in the numbers being produced by the top hitters, and then a gradual resuming of the upward trend. In other words, the gradual climb of home run production will revert to a mean based on the natural evolution of the human body, the improvement in training and nutrition science, and the maturing of younger players who have taken advantage of these factors without resorting to the use of illegal substances.
Should the home run production of the average player take a significant downward plunge, we would be able to say with some certainty that steroid use was rampant but I don't believe this is going to be the case. I believe the abuse will be limited to fringe players who otherwise would not be able to make the cut, and a very few top players whose ego pushed them to seek out a way to reach the top without considering the potential problems in their future.
Regardless of the outcome, the tragedy of the situation has been the increased use of steroids among young athletes, even down to the high school level. Testifying at the hearings were the parents of two young ballplayers who committed suicide after using steroids. While it's obviously common knowledge that steroid use has long range adverse affects on the human body, what teenager doesn't believe himself invulnerable?
A young athlete cannot envision himself a few years down the line, crippled by heart disease or cancer. Nor can they be expected to deal with the mood swings and depression that accompany the use of steroids. Are today's baseball players obligated to act as messengers against drugs? Obviously not. Would any decent person in their position take the time to at least warn young people against the dangers of steroids? I'd like to think so.

Mark McGwire's testimony at the Congressional hearings did little to salvage his reputation. The shadow of steroids has plagued him for years and even now, four years after he hung up his bat for good. And though he has never admitted to use and no definitive proof has ever been found, many still believe that McGwire regularly used illegal anabolic steroids throughout his career. It was widely reported at one point that he used to use a drug called Andro to "boost my workout" as he himself put it. The drug was later taken off the market because of the dangerous side effects, and McGwire said he would stop using it if it was banned, which it eventually was.

The other reason there is so much speculation now is because of the recent release of former teammate Jose Canseco's book "Juiced" in which the former Oakland A's slugger said that he himself witnessed McGwire using steroids. Of course, there are plenty of contradictions in his book and Canseco himself comes across as a spotlight-hungry liar at times. But there is a growing part of baseball fandom that is starting to see him as something of a martyr- he has so far been the only one brave enough to say he did it AND name names of others who did the same (though Jason Giambi has admitted to using, he has declined to name other users).

All of this does not bode well for McGwire or the future of his single-season homerun record. But what bodes even worse for him was the fact that he absolutely refused to admit whether he did them or not at the Congressional hearings. Instead of talking about the past, he said that he preferred to talk about the future, and "be positive" about alerting the youth of the nation to the dangers of steroid use. He was often emotional and at one point broke into tears when talking about the subject. In many American's eyes, this makes him look guilty. But instead of being a man and fessing up (like Giambi and his Yankees teammate Gary Sheffield), he steadfastly refused an admission. It reminds me of Pete Rose, who categorically denied betting on baseball for years. Though there was never concrete proof of his wagers, most of the world thought him guilty, and he was banned from baseball and the Hall of Fame.

Will Mark McGwire be eventually banned from baseball or the Hall? Only time will tell. But whether he is or not, his reputation has been irreparably damaged. Even if he admits to his steroid use at a later time, many will still think that he should have been honest from the get-go. Since he wasn't, he will likely become a black sheep like Rose before him. And that is terrible not just for him personally, but for baseball in general. The consequences may take years to repair.

If you ever have a chance to go to Japan, I recommend that you take in a professional baseball game while you are there. The experience is very different from attending ball games in the United States, and would definitely be worthwhile and memorable.

The first difference you are likely to notice is the noise. It is constant! The fans are very loud and use noisemakers throughout the entire game, whether it's April or September, whether their team is playoff-bound or in last place. There are mainly two types of noisemakers sold at Japanese baseball games, and it seems that most fans have one or the other. One type is a set of two small plastic bats that are connected together by a long string. The bats are simply banged together to make noise. The second type is a plastic megaphone that splits into two halves. Like the bats, the two halves of the megaphone can be smacked together to make noise. Fans with this type of noisemaker also shout team cheers through the megaphones.

A second difference that is immediately apparent is the fact that cheering is, for the most part, very organized. The home team's main cheering section is in the right field stands. That's the place where you are likely to find the most rabid fans, decked out from head to toe in team colors. That's also the place where the cheering originates. There are usually a couple guys banging on full-sized Japanese "taiko" drums, some others blowing on trumpets or horns, and still others waving huge team flags. There is also someone who acts as a sort of bandleader, and everyone takes the cheering cue from him.

While the home team's cheers start from the right field stands, the visiting team gets its support from the left field stands. Much like in college football, a portion of the seating in Japanese baseball stadiums is designated for fans from the opposing team. You will find noisemakers, a mini marching band, and flags here, too, as the visiting fans try to out-cheer the home crowd.

A third difference can be discovered in the concession area. While you can buy hot dogs, burgers, popcorn, beer, and soft drinks at Japanese ball games, just like you can in America, don't count on being able to get nachos, pizza, or soft pretzels. Instead, Japanese vendors sell such items as sushi, sake, noodles, tea, and soybean pods.

A fourth difference comes just before the bottom half of the seventh inning. In American baseball, this is called the Seventh-Inning Stretch, and is the time when the grounds crew quickly groom the field a bit and when "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" is sung. The Japanese version of the seventh-inning stretch is quite different. Instead of singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," fans release thousands of colorful, whistling jet balloons into the air or perform other team-specific traditions.

All in all, Japanese baseball games offer fans a few hours of great entertainment. After you've been to a ball game in Japan, American games will seem very quiet to you!

It's that time of year once again. In offices all across America the brackets have been posted and the pools are under way. In the less savvy yet equally excited locales, random draws are the primary process behind the selection of a team. For the more adventurous and knowledgeable, pool participants pick the winners of each and every game, incorporating an elaborate point scale to determine the person with the best predictions.

Information abounds for those picking each game, from the self-proclaimed "bracket-ologists" to the obnoxious Dickie V. The "pick the winner pool participants" follow every word. These folks know the numbers inside out and for the true fan, no pick is a toss up or throw away. These fans are also painfully aware that the selection committee does a great job, both in its picks and in its seeding, so it is best not to over think the process.

Some of the more obscure information released recently from the media included the shutout of the State of Indiana, the first time the State has been without a team in the tourney since 1972. In addition, the choice of two number ones from the same conference, in this case the Atlantic Coast Conference with Duke and North Carolina, is actually becoming routine. In fact, for the sixth time in the past eight years, the top four tourney seeds include two teams from the same conference.

Though the ACC had two number one seeds, the Big East Conference and the Big 12 Conference sent the most teams to the tourney, each sending six teams. The ACC, the Big 10, and the South Eastern Conferences all sent five teams. Pac 10 Arizona was selected to participate in the tournament for the 21st straight year and Big 12 Kansas for the 16th straight season.

For those looking for pick insights we turn to a reporter who could be a self-proclaimed "bracket-ologist." Todd Harmonson of the Orange County Register is an amazing source of information for any prognosticators, even those office poolers. Harmonson has studied the numbers and the brackets in detail. His research reveals some very important thoughts for those trying to pick the winners of each game and bracket.

For example, he has determined that the lowest seeded winner over the past 25 years is a number eight seed, so forget picking a number nine or higher going all the way. Moreover, he notes that a number one or a number two seed has won the tournament 13 times in the last 15 years. So if you're picking a winner, pay attention to the seeding committee's numbers.

Perhaps most noteworthy, Harmonson suggests making your seeding picks total nine or less. If you pick a five seed, then pick the rest as ones or twos says Harmonson, because over the last ten years, on only two occasions has the sum of the seeds in the final four exceeded nine.

Again, according to those figures, the selection and seeding committee does its work extremely well. So well, in fact, that pool pickers should never select a number sixteen seed, no matter what, not even if they are your alma mater. Sixteen seeds have never beaten a number one seed in the tournament, ever. But pickers should also take note that the 14th, 15th and 16th seeds combined have won just one game over the last five years. So if you want to pick some upset specials, start at least with 13 seeds or higher.

The one pick that is truly a crap shoot comes when the number eight seed competes against the ninth seed. In that instance you just may want to flip a coin. In the last 20 years of the tourney, roughly 54% of the number nine seeds have won the opening round game.

So start your picking by closely looking at the four top seeds, Duke, North Carolina, Washington and Illinois. Pick a number two or three if one of them is a team you enjoy rooting for, throw in your alma mater if you must, but only if they are seeded ninth or higher. Or better yet, try going with the seedings through out. It sure is a lot easier, and according to Harmonson you are just as likely to take home the pool as those who analyze whether or not the number three seed is unbeaten on neutral courts this year.

Let the Madness begin!

Although I have been an avid sports fan since I was a child, I haven't been lucky enough to ever attend any "big" games or events. Perhaps growing up in Chicago had something to do with it. I mean, when was the last time a Chicago team made the postseason in any sport? (Notwithstanding the Cubs team from two seasons ago, when I happened to be living in California.) Sure, we had the most dominant basketball team of the '90s -- but my father wasn't an NBA fan, and since he was the only one with the money to buy me tickets, I was out of luck. So I have never been to a playoff game in any sport, nor have I ever a championship game in person.

I'm hoping that will change soon. One of my New Year's resolutions was to start going to major sporting events around the world. I didn't set a time limit or anything like that; I just figure that seeing all of these at some point in my life will be something of an accomplishment in itself. Here, in order, are the top 10 big games and events that I personally want to see.

1. The Super Bowl

The Super Bowl is the most-watched, most-bet-upon sporting event in the United States. I love NFL football, and would give anything to be able to attend a Super Bowl. While the game itself is a letdown more often than not, the atmosphere of the host city in the two weeks leading up to Super Bowl Sunday would be nothing short of electrifying. I'm going to wait until 2007 for this one, however. Why? Because spending a couple weeks in Miami sounds much more appealing than spending a couple weeks in Detroit (2006 host city).

2. NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Finals

It would be tough for any other event on this list, including the Super Bowl, to match the excitement and nostalgia brought on by the finals in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. Just think of being in an arena with more than 60,000 fans screaming and cheering as their beloved schools vie for a national championship. Tell me that wouldn't bring back memories of some of your best times in college?

3. The MLB World Series

Granted, the baseball season seems to drag on forever at times, and the game has certainly lost some of its luster amidst the recent revelations of steroid use and abuse, but it is still America's Pastime. There are still compelling stories to be found in baseball, such as the Boston Red Sox finally winning a title after 86 years of futility. All I know is that if (and when) the Chicago Cubs make it back to the World Series, I want to be on hand to see it.

4. Tour de France - Final Stage

Lance Armstrong has single-handedly redefined the sport of cycling for Americans. His story reads like something a Hollywood movie exec would dream up: From nearly losing his life to cancer, Armstrong came back to win the Tour de France not once, but an astounding six consecutive times. He has committed to racing one more Tour this year, and then uncertainty surrounds his future. Will he retire? Only Armstrong knows for sure. With any luck, I will be in Paris this summer, watching Lance cruise through the final stage to a record seventh-straight victory.

5. The Kentucky Derby

I become a horse racing fan exactly once a year, and that happens to be the first Saturday in May, which of course is the day that the Kentucky Derby is held. Though the Derby is not the richest horse race in the world, it is definitely one of the most prominent. Since the actual "Run for the Roses" lasts for only about two minutes, however, it's safe to say that there are plenty of other reasons for spending the day at Churchill Downs. First, there are the world-famous Kentucky Derby Mint Juleps to imbibe and enjoy. Second, with Millionaire's Row and with countless spectators wearing derby hats that range from classy to outright crazy, there is ample opportunity for people-watching. Third, hearing thousands of people sing "My Old Kentucky Home" as the horses come out for the post parade would be a very moving and memorable experience.

6. Any Cleveland Cavaliers Game

Okay, okay -- I know I said this list was going to be made up of big games. "Any" Cleveland Cavaliers game hardly meets that criterion. But consider this: I lived in Chicago throughout the entire Michael Jordan era, and I did not get to attend a single Bulls game during those years. That's right; I never witnessed the moves of His Airness, the greatest basketball player of all time, in person. Now with young LeBron James, whom many sports pundits are calling the second coming of Jordan, lighting up the NBA, you can be sure that I won't make the same mistake twice. That's why Cavs games are on this list.

7. Wimbledon Men's Finals

The Wimbledon Championship at the All-England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club dates back to 1877 and is still considered the most prestigious tennis tournament in the world. Watching the Men's Finals on Centre Court (and perhaps rubbing elbows with royalty) would definitely be a highlight that any tennis fan would remember for a lifetime.

8. Olympic Gold Medal Match (Any Sport)

I ordinarily don't pay much attention to most Olympic sports, such as Track and Field, Swimming, Gymnastics, Figure Skating, etc., during non-Olympic years. But I would still like to watch a gold medal ceremony, preferably with an American standing atop the podium, at least once. To hear the Star-Spangled Banner playing while an athlete savors the achievement of his or her lifelong dream would be a goose-bump moment for sure.

9. British Open at St. Andrews Links

For sheer history, no other event on this list even comes close to golf at St. Andrews Links in Scotland. According to the St. Andrews official website, golf has been played on the grounds for more than 600 years. Take a moment to absorb that little fact: six hundred years of golf! As if history alone weren't a compelling enough reason to visit St. Andrews, consider that we are witnessing a very competitive PGA field right now. With Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, Phil Mickelson, and a host of others seemingly at the top of their game, tournament outcomes are never a foregone conclusion. That makes the British Open a no-brainer for my list.

10. World Cup Soccer Match

I am not a soccer fan at all, but World Cup matches are the most popular sporting events in the entire world. So, even though the only non-U.S. soccer player I've ever heard of is David Beckham (more for his hairstyles than his athleticism), I'll give it a shot. After all, how can so many people be wrong?

By Jared Field

Things in America have never been better. Our economy is rarely volatile, our position in the Middle-East is secure, healthcare costs have been reined in, Social Security is salient, and illegal immigration is under control--we now have the responsibility to clean up baseball, we cannot leave this burden to our children.

Do you sense the sarcasm? I hope so, because I'm laying it on pretty thick. The fact of the matter is this: Things in America aren't great right now. We have soldiers dying every week in Iraq, the cost of energy is through the roof, and our borders are being overrun by illegal aliens--some of whom have admitted to trafficking terrorists from Mexico into the states. So, where on our list of things to do does steroid use in Major League Baseball show up? Probably right before pull tab reform and right after an inquiry into the breakability of unbreakable pocket combs.

This Thursday, the House Government Reform Committee will be using our tax dollars to discuss the use of steroids in Major League Baseball. Republicans and Democrats have finally agreed on something; they both felt as if they needed face time with an issue that people have actually heard about--no matter how superfluous. And so, players are being subpoenaed, lawyers are being retained, and Major League Baseball Commissioner, Bud Selig (BS), is shaking in his boots--he doesn't want to lose his anti-trust exemption.

If we were to apply a hierarchy of needs in this country this charade would be seen for what it actually is, a waste of our time and money. Steroids directly affects the lives of somewhere around .000001% of Americans. The only people who are really concerned about it are the baseball purists who exist only to defend the records of Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Ted Williams and Babe Ruth against the bulging arms and heads of the game's best and brightest. These are the same people who will demand that an asterisk be used with respect to any records broken after 1990. The same people who reject any such asterisk beside the names of men who competed in a baseball league about as diverse as a rodeo.

Perhaps, if Congress gets to it in the next few weeks, the asterisk issue will be a moot one. And then, if they have time, they could get to fixing a few other things:

1.) Tattoos in the National Basketball Association, subpoena Allen Iverson
2.) Missing upper plates in the United Hockey League, subpoena Jim Duhart
3.) The prevalence of pretty boys in United States Tennis Association, subpoena Andy Roddick
4.) Leaving school early in Division 1 college basketball, Subpoena Marcus Taylor and William Avery
5.) Vehicular manslaughter in the NFL, subpoena Leonard Little
6.) Gluttony in the Pro Bowlers Association, subpoena that one guy in the tight polo
7.) Tiger Woods' personality, subpoena paint drying
8.) A playoff in Division 1 college football, subpoena the Auburn University Tigers
9.) Excessive celebration in the World's Strongest Man competition, subpoena Magnus Ver Magnusson
10.) Disinterest in professional soccer, subpoena South America
11.) Impotence in the waning seconds of close games, subpoena Chris Webber and Joey Harrington
12.) Housing Russian missiles, subpoena Anna Kournikova
13.) Overuse of the phrase, "oh my," subpoena Dick Enberg
14.) ESPN Original Entertainment, subpoena the definers of both the word "original" and "entertainment" for clarification
15.) Petty Larceny, subpoena the Washington University Huskies
16.) The ingestion of carbon monoxide off of unfiltered cigarettes, subpoena the infield at Darlington Raceway
17.) The humiliation of Americans at the Olympics, subpoena Ben Wallace, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett
18.) The occurrence of soft erections since 1999, subpoena Brandi Chastian
19.) Ageism in Major League Baseball, subpoena Don Zimmer and Pedro Martinez
20.) Pot smoking and Ricky Williams, subpoena the continent of Asia and Mike Ditka

So, in other words, if you, Congress, are interested in wasting our time and money with superfluous things, please see them through to their conclusion.

Representative Henry Waxman stares down Jason Giambi's gigantic head from the Capitol Mound...film at eleven.

Good news from the Motor City. As if getting the Super Bowl wasn't enough, the city of Detroit might actually have a quarterback who can play under center this season. This past Saturday, my Lions signed the once great Jeff Garcia to a one-year contract worth two million dollars. Garcia should be a perfect fit in Detroit, he knows Coach Steve Mariucci's playbook inside out, after spending several seasons with him in San Francisco. So, this officially served notice to the Lions' starting quarterback, Joey Harrington, to perform or be benched.

The move to get Jeff Garcia from the Browns was only one in a series of personnel moves made by Lions' team president, Matt Millen. He recently signed the Colts' free agent tight end, Marcus Pollard and hard-hitting strong safety Kenoy Kennedy from the Denver Broncos. These moves free up the Lions to potentially trade their 10th overall pick in the draft down to another team. But, if the Lions are smart, they will hold on to that 10th pick, praying to God on high that Dan Cody is still available. Cody, the All-American defensive end from Oklahoma is just the kind of speed rusher the Lions desperately need. I have seen him play a couple times in person and he is dominant. He is tireless rushing the quarterback, a sure-tackler and a good team guy.

Apart from the draft, I do believe the Lions are only one veteran receiver away from being an 11-5 team. Last year, Lions fans had high hopes for former Michigan star Tai Streets being a steady receiver in the slot--that didn't work out. But, notwithstanding our lack of a solid third receiver, our offense looks potent. Returning are the NFL's most talented rookie running back, Kevin Jones, and its best rookie receiver, Roy Williams. Next to Williams will be his route-running mate, Charles Rogers. If Rogers can stay healthy, they will be the most potent receiver tandem in the NFL. Move over Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce. With the addition of the athletic veteran tight end, Marcus Pollard, we are looking at an offense with amazing scoring potential.

But who is going to get them the ball?

The answer is simple, Jeff Garcia. Coach Mariucci has stated, in no uncertain terms, that Joey Harrington is still the starter. But, this only means that he is the starter at the outset of training camp. Garcia should be able to steal the starting job away from Harrington without breaking a sweat. Harrington's teammates, by-and-large, do not respect him as a man, and that shows on the field. He is not a great leader and rarely ever makes the big play. And, on top of those things, he can't run. In a nutshell, Garcia can do all the things Harrington cannot. He should start. I understand that this change would make Matt Millen look foolish, but what is best for the Lions as a team is ultimately what is best for Matt Millen.

Here are my predictions for the upcoming NFL season:

Super Bowl Champions: Philadelphia Eagles

AFC Champions: New England Patriots

NFC Champions: Philadelphia Eagles

Most Improved Team: Detroit Lions

1500+ yard rushers: Kevin Jones, Ladainian Tomlinson, Stephen Jackson, Clinton Portis, Rudi Johnson, Chris Brown, Shaun Alexander

1000+ yard receivers: Charles Rogers, Tory Holt, Terrell Owens, Marvin Harrison, Derrick Mason, Hines Ward, Chad Johnson, Randy Moss, Joe Horn, Andre Johnson

500+ yard Tight Ends: Marcus Pollard, Tony Gonzalez, Todd Heap, Antonio Gates, Jeremy Shockey, Dallas Clark, Kellen Winslow

Top Five in Team Defense: Baltimore Ravens, San Diego Chargers, New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Redskins

Rookie of the Year: Braylon Edwards

Steal of the Draft: Mark Bradley, WR Oklahoma

Best Athlete in the League: Julius Peppers

Best All-around Offensive Player: Brian Westbrook

Best All-around Defensive Player: Dwight Freeney

Not Good, Again: Tie, Eli Manning and Joey Harrington

I Was Injured by my Coach, Again: Julius Jones

I Don't Deserve a Paycheck: Tie, Mike Martz and Mike Tice

I Can't Believe I Locked Up Jake Plummer for Seven Years: Mike Shanahan

What is my Quarterback's Name?: Mushin Muhammad

It Was Fun While it Lasted: Troy Brown

I can't wait for the NFL, again.

Go Lions.

by Tom Hanson
Concerns have developed in recent years that the emphasis the public places on sports is negatively impacting our youth. Many feel that the emphasis on sports is hindering both the mental and physical development of children. Too many youngsters appear to focus totally on sports, to the detriment of developing intellectual pursuits and proper lifelong work habits.

But in our society today, the over-emphasis on sports generally comes from adults. The notion that an athletic scholarship or professional career is possible if the child will focus on one specific activity and train diligently comes most often from the parents and coaches of these athletes. We see stories of Olympic gymnasts going through sheer torture at an incredibly young age for the chance to be the best in the world. We see young basketball players practicing 5 hours a day, then playing a weekend tournament where the youngster might actually play 5-6 games over a two day period, all in an effort to 'round out their game'.

However, it is important to understand that sports can and should be a very prominent part of the growth process for children. At the simplest level with a focus on a recreation, sports provide an outlet, allowing a controlled and positive release of energy for children. These activities help our youngsters develop healthy minds, bodies and spirits. Also at the recreation level, loosely organized activities can provide enormous opportunity for socialization for children, that is if we adults refrain from over-structuring the activity.

There is no doubt that if we move to the competitive sports model, these activities have even more to teach our youth. The concept of teamwork, of sacrificing individual needs to work together in seeking a common goal, is one of the great teaching points of team sports. In addition, the concept of working hard for a specific goal, of putting in the necessary time to be able to do a task well, is another great lesson for children. Ultimately, sports can teach children of the need to prepare oneself for possible success, that the willingness to prepare to excel at a task is far more important than the desire to excel.

Yet, of the many lessons of sports, the greatest teaching point is the one most adults seek to have children avoid. The concept of dealing with individual failure or the loss of game is actually at the heart of what sports can teach our kids. Stepping in with encouragement and support, then maintaining a proper perspective on the ability level of the child while constantly revisiting the real purpose of athletics, we can help our youngsters develop their resiliency, a personal trait more important than even one's self-esteem. If we can teach our youngsters to pick themselves up when the success they are seeking eludes them, if we can help them to understand the need to go to practice again and to try, try again, in spite of demonstrated lack of success, then we will be teaching them how to be successful adults. This is the essence of what sports can bring to our children.

The great mistake that kids make today is to focus on the idea that sports is the only place to give such an effort, that an equivalent commitment at home doing chores and at school doing class work is somehow less worthy. The push to focus in one sport at the expense of all other activities takes the general teachings of sports to an unhealthy emphasis. This causes our children to see that one activity as the place to demonstrate commitment and hard work where as in reality we want our children to learn that such effort is the proper approach to everything in life.

The idea of hard work transcending a sport is a major point in the popular movie Coach Carter. It is so refreshing to see the coach actually lock the players out of the gym, telling them until they manage to get their grades in order, there will be no basketball. He teaches these young men that if they put in the same effort in the classroom, they can succeed there just as the can succeed through hard work on the court. The movie is also very realistic, because the Coach ends up fighting with the parents, the principal and the school board, all of whom want to see the boys just be allowed to play basketball.

As a parent, the question might be, would we rather our children aspire to play a professional sport or to serve hamburgers and fries at the local fast food joint? Certainly, of the two, the former would be the choice. At least that child has set high aspirations. Unfortunately, many children limit their aspirations to just such an either or choice because of their failure to truly apply themselves in school, leaving them with little option when it comes to college possibilities or other careers.

Sports has a very important place in the educational process for children. It need not corrupt our youngsters and it will not, provided adults maintain the proper emphasis on the teaching points in sports that translate to success in all aspects of life.

As another collegiate basketball season winds down, teams across the country are preparing for one of sports most exciting events, the NCAA Basketball Tournament. Affectionately known as March Madness, sports shows move to a new form of sports expert, that of a "bracketologist." These folks attempt to break down the tournament sidings and to predict which teams have the easiest path to the Final Four.

As all of this has been happening, in the collegiate women's game, a coach is quietly on the verge of coaching history. Pat Summitt, in her 31st year as the head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers, recently earned the 878th coaching victory of her illustrious career when the Vols topped the nation's number one ranked team, the LSU Tigers to win the South Eastern Conference Tournament Title. Her next coaching win will match the NCAA record held by the great Dean Smith, the men's coach for the North Carolina Tar Heels for an incredible 36 years.

Summitt began her career at a time when women's basketball was clearly second fiddle on the college campus. Back then she was known as Pat Head-Summitt and as head coach she also washed player uniforms, taped her players' ankles and drove the team van. However, even then, her teams were successful, winning 32 of her first 51 games as a coach.

Incredibly, Tennessee has been involved in every NCAA Tournament since it began for women in 1982. Summitt's teams have also earned 15 appearances in the prestigious Final Four over that 24 year period and have a total of 6 NCAA Championships over that period. Without a doubt, she is arguably one of the best to ever coach the game.

But many question comparing her record to that of Smith's, many except Smith himself who has nothing but praise for Summitt as a coach. Says Smith, "In my estimation, she would have had great success coaching in the men's game had she chosen that route."

Summitt is exceedingly young to have 31 years experience as a head coach. At 52, she easily could coach another 8-10 years, if not more. If she does so, the final win total will certainly exceed a thousand or even eleven hundred.

Most fans will focus on the upcoming men's tournament but everyone should watch the women's brackets as well. Two wins and a final sixteen tournament appearance for Tennessee will equate to a new NCAA Collegiate basketball coaching record. It doesn't take a bracketologist to predict that before March Madness is finished the NCAA may just have a new record holder for coaching victories.

The New Orleans Saints
Sunday, March 13, 2005
Hello from a long suffering Saints' fan. I am now sitting back and watching a team that has struggled to reach an 8-8 record for the past two years as they dip their toes into the free agent market.
The constant litany we've heard around the city for the past couple of years is that the Saints are only a player or two away from being in Super Bowl contention. Somehow I doubt this, although there are a few solid players on the Saints roster, I have to wonder about the intelligence level of the team as a whole, and just what exactly the current administration is looking at when the review their roster.
First of all, I have serious doubts about the running game and the offensive line. True, Deuce McAllister is a top notch running back in the NFL no doubt. My concerns fall squarely on the back of the offensive line. This is a unit that hasn't dominated anyone in years. I can't remember the last time the team buckled down and just flat out ran the ball straight at another team and was successful in doing so. Time and time again, late in a game when the Saints need to eat up the clock and churn out positive yardage, they end up punting the ball and giving the other team a last chance to beat them. Deuce could have an 1800-2000 yard season behind a good line. As far as pass protection, I see very little of it. Aaron Brooks is spending half his time running away and panicking. Let's talk about Brooks for a while.
The first time I saw Brooks play, I thought to myself, "Now here's a guy that could be a good quarterback." The thing that made him effective in his first few games was that he was able to run the ball. Now he's no Michael Vick, but he is an effective runner. My feeling is a team that has a quarterback that can run presents one more thing for the defense to worry about. Since taking over the starting position, Brooks has obviously been coached to stay in the pocket and not to run, thus eliminating the very thing that made him effective to begin with. While he has put up some good numbers over the last few years, these numbers have not translated into wins, which is the most important number of all. I think the coaching staff has done a very poor job of utilizing his talents.
Offense aside, the Saints greatest weakness at this point is undoubtedly their defense. A sorrier unit would be hard to find in the NFL. They can't stop the run and they can't stop the pass. I can only hope that the brain trust in the Saints organization is making plans to do something about this. As of this writing, there are rumors floating around the airwaves that the Saints intend to trade Darren Howard to the Cowboys in exchange for Nguyen and a draft choice. Apparently they feel like last years draft pick Will Smith, has reached a point where he can be inserted into the lineup and be effective. Only time will tell on that score, but there is a glaring need for good linebackers on this team. To think that we are only a few years removed from the glory days when the Saints had one of the most feared line backing corps in the league.
Generally, when a defensive unit has performed as poorly as the Saints have, the defensive coordinator takes the blame and gets released. The Saints', defensive coordinator Rick Ventura, has certainly come under fire, but there seems to be solid support for him in the organization with no indications that his job is in jeopardy. Perhaps this is a result of the perception that the squad is extremely low on talent. If that's the case, I certainly hope this years draft is concentrated on getting some talent on that side of the ball.
Special teams may be the only bright spot on the team. While not outstanding they are certainly solid, although most teams are now finding a way to contain Michael Lewis.
The general feeling in the city of New Orleans is that the Saints will once again be content to pick up a free agent or two, and not do a housecleaning and revamp the whole roster. Offensively this may be a sound idea. They do have some playmakers on that side of the ball. I believe a concentration on improving the offensive line and getting more production out of the tight ends would go a long way. They've signed a tight end from Tampa Bay I believe, but at the same time, they're shopping Boo Williams around. I don't like that idea.
Defensively, a total overhaul would be justified, including a change in coaching staff. I've pretty much had enough of Rick Ventura. He's been given enough time to build a unit that should at least be respectable.
So, here in New Orleans we await another year of .500 football, the same as last year and the year before.
Jim Haslet should be on the bubble this year. After coming into the league as a head coach his first year, he created a much atmosphere, and definitely moved the team in the right direction. The improvement continued in the next two years, but since then the team has regressed considerably. The question that needs to be asked is: What has been the affect of Tom Benson firing GM Rick Mueller? This was obviously a guy who had what it takes to put a football team together. I liken the situation to the previous combination of Jim Finks and Jim Mora. Mora was an excellent coach, and given the right talent, could take a team a long way. However, once Jim Finks got sick and Bill Kuharich took over, things went downhill pretty fast. A series of bad drafts and Mora took the blame on his way out the door. Kuharich was gone not long after. Since Meuller has left the organization, the draft picking has been spotty at best, and the free agent picks haven't been a whole lot better. It remains to be seen if the present personnel have what it takes to put a good product on the field.
And so it goes, on and on, the same story year after year. Sometimes we put a good team out there and everybody gets their hopes up, only to eventually be disappointed in the end. There does not seem to be a do or die commitment to reaching and winning the Super Bowl.
In the meantime Benson keeps threatening to take his team and go somewhere else, and the state keeps cranking out the tax dollars directly in Benson's pocket. Money that comes from the pockets of teachers and libraries and the educational system of our state. Money that could be used to improve our roads or increase the quality of healthcare in Louisiana. Oh well, at least they went .500.

If you have been reading the sports news lately, no doubt you have been stumbling across articles pertaining to professional athletes, and their use of performance enhancing drugs. While professional athletes have tried to basically keep their usage of performance enhancing drugs a secret, in the past couple of years a lot of these athletes have been getting some serious heat from the media.

Among the numerous enhancement drugs used by athletes, a very popular one, considered a dietary supplement is creatine. Creatine is used everyday, not only by professional athletes, but it is also used by many everyday athletes as a supplement that helps boost muscle production.

The History of Creatine

Creatine is somewhat new is some perspectives, and somewhat old in other perspectives. It was first discovered in 1835 by a French scientist named Chevreul, who discovered the Creatine in bone tissue, and decided to name it after the Greek word for flesh. It wasn't until the late 1980's/ early 1990's before creatine supplements started appearing on store shelves. Since the early 1990's the use of Creatine has a nutritional supplement has drastically gone through the roof, and now it is nearly impossible to walk into a local gym and not find a person who takes the supplement.

How It Is Taken

Creatine is taken either in a liquid / powder form that is mixed with water or fruit juice, or taken in pill form. Because of the composition of the creatine, if it is mixed with fruit juice or water, the user must consume the creatine beverage within ten minutes, otherwise the creatine will begin to breakdown in the juice / water. If a user decides to take creatine in pill form, then they must take a large amount of creatine capsules everyday. For example, Weider brand Creatine capsules calls for a user to take a minimum of seven capsules with one or two cups of a high sugar fruit juice (Such as apple or grape juice). Because of the high dosage requirements, Creatine capsules are considered relatively expensive, considering the fact that even though an average bottle has a hundred and fifty capsules, it only provides twenty one days of the supplement.

Why It Is Taken

Users of Creatine take the supplement because it is believed that Creatine helps boost the production of muscle tissue. Technically, Creatine is an amino acid [NH2-C(NH)-NCH2(COOH)-CH3] that provides energy to muscle tissue, and thus helps promote growth. Scientific research has concluded that the average user of Creatine will gain a twenty percent increase in muscle tissue within the first eight days of taking Creatine. Not only does Creatine help increase production of muscle tissue, but it is also believed to help stimulate brain activity, and thus gives users of Creatine better memory capabilities, although this is still being researched.

Effects Of Taking Creatine

After about a week of regular dosages, a user of Creatine will most likely notice an increase in the amount of muscle tissue. While a user will be stronger, and appear to have larger looking muscles, the increased weight is due to the fact that creatine places large amounts of water into the muscle cells. Thus, while you will definitely be stronger, you will still look stronger than you actually are.

Hazards of Taking Creatine

Not much research has been put initiated into the hazards of taking creatine. There are no official statements by the FDA about taking the supplement. This includes, but is not limited to; how Creatine interacts with other supplements, drugs, etc., how Creatine affects the major organs of the body. One thing that is commonly known is the fact that users of Creatine must increase their daily intake of water. Due to the fact that Creatine will basically throw all your available water into muscle cells means that if you fail to increase your intake of fluids, you are only asking for some serious trouble.

Creatine In Professional Sports

Even though Creatine has been used by professional athletes since the late 1980's and early 1990's, it is still considered legal in professional sports. The fact that Creatine has not really been a major player in the performance enhancement drugs talks that have been circulating in the media recently is the lack of medical research on the supplement, as well as the fact that the supplement is easily available in every nutrition store.

Is Creatine Really a Miracle?

Another reason that Creatine hasn't really come under fire is the fact that although it does improve muscle growth, it's not really a miracle drug. The high dosage requirements, and the fact that a user must drink a lot of fluids is a bit of a high cost for the results that Creatine provides. Still, the use of Creatine is still on the rise, and will continue to provide muscle growth to both amateur / professional athletes until serious research on the product is performed, or the product is pulled from the shelf.

Early in the 2005 season, PGA fans have seen the Tour's most popular player, Tiger Woods wrestle the Number One Ranking back from Vijay Singh. Woods is off to a great start in 2005 with two wins and a third place tie in just five starts on the young season. Singh, "PGA Tour Player of the Year" in 2004, relinquished the top spot at last week's Ford Championship at the Doral Golf Resort and Spa in Miami. Surprising to many, Singh dropped from number one despite two consecutive years at the top of the PGA Tour Money List and a solid start to the 2005 season (a tournament win and two other top ten finishes).

Just as noteworthy to fans is the continued strong play of Phil Mickelson. "Lefty" has already won two events on the PGA Tour this year and narrowly missed a third last week at Doral, finishing second to the hard-charging Woods. Early in the season, Mickelson buried the competition at the FBR Open and the Pebble Beach Pro AM, winning in consecutive weeks by five and four shots respectively. In winning those two events handily, Mickelson also shot two rounds for the ages, a round of 60 at the FBR, 11 under par on one of golf's more challenging layouts, and a 62 at Pebble Beach's Spyglass Hill, another difficult course. With these early season performances, Mickelson now sits at the top of the 2005 Money List.

All this publicity has overshadowed the play of another member of the Tour's elite, Ernie Els. Nicknamed the "Big Easy" for his smooth swing, Els is also off to a phenomenal start in 2005. However, many golf fans are simply not aware of his strong season since Els has played only three events on the PGA Tour this year. He also has yet to win on American soil, but Els has finished no lower than sixth in those three events, placing 2nd, 3rd and 6th.

The South African also plays an enormous amount of time on the Australasian-European Tour. Though not as well publicized, that Tour also has a number of very capable golfers, many who hone their game before attempting to move over to the American Tour.

On this week's Australasian-European Tour, Els completed his third European tournament of the year, the Qatar Masters with a dramatic victory. Falling seven shots behind after a poor first round, Els hung around until Sunday when he overcame a five shot deficit to take home his 55th world wide victory.

Just last week, the "Big Easy" had earned his 54th win and first of the 2005 season when he took home the title at the Dubai Desert Classic. That victory was overshadowed as it coincided with Woods' win at Doral and Tiger's reemergence at the top of the golf world. Also unknown to many golf fans, in addition to his Dubai victory, Els also has a fifth place finish at this year's Heineken Classic, meaning that in his six tournament starts in 2005, Els has finished sixth or better in each event.

As the Tour season approaches the first major of the year and the ever more prestigious Tournament Player's Championship, the competition on the PGA Tour is beginning to rival the days of Nicklaus, Palmer, Player and Trevino. The fans focused on Woods, Singh, and Mickelson had best also keep their eyes on Mr. Els when the this year's majors roll around.

The "Big Easy" is on his game and definitely will be a player to be reckoned with.

Sports have quite a number of good things to offer to man if played in good spirit. To name some of them are entertainment, excitement, competition, dedication, discipline, expression, perseverance, tolerance, stamina, and above all health. We all know this old saying "health is wealth" but how to realize it, we sometimes are unable to understand that. Well, both health and wealth can be achieved by participating in sports. But still the former is more important than the later.

To achieve good health by way of sports, one should follow the coaching manuals of the respective sport with utmost care and concentration; since otherwise, by not doing so one can ever deteriorate his or her health. The other very important aspect in achieving not only good health, but good quality in sporting itself, is a balanced diet. Generally, after taking part in sports, body gets exhausted which further is caused by wear and tear of the tissues. So to repair and strengthen these tissues, a balanced and proper diet is essential. One can experience a new strength, courage and willpower by following these simple but vital coaching manuals.

Sometimes many players tend to use some specific drugs to increase their stamina and strength, which are of course inclined for achieving higher goals or name and fame in a particular sport. This tendency is improper not only socially, but it has to do a lot of damage both physically as well as mentally to the person involved. Let us think about the basic goal of sports, one can easily imagine that whenever first time a sporting event would have really happened, the goal must have been to find out the finest and fittest, and obviously the most eligible person among a given number of people. Now this purpose has appeared before the society in a number of forms of sports, which are chosen according to their liking by the people who play them. The values of gamesmanship or sportsmanship have taken a beautiful shape along with all this. Now using drugs to increase one's eligibility seems to be a phenomenon in which all the above mentioned goals are forgotten. That is to say, the very basic theme of sporting is neglected. Further if we compare our body with a machine then the person conducting a particular machine must know its capacity to work. He can not get more work beyond the limits of that machine. Now if he tries to do so by altering any parts or applying something unusual onto the machine then he may succeed to get some more work. But when the effect of that unusual goes away the machine can stop working at all and so is the case with our body also! So be aware that you are playing your game for joy and name and fame, but not by taking drugs and weakening yourself physically and morally.

Do you remember 50 years ago when all the rage in sports hinged on a wooden bat, a leather glove, and a ball? Of course you don't. You weren't even born yet. The only trophies displayed on your mantle are...well not exactly on your mantle. They are on your body. They are the battle scars from the severe punishment you put your body through to participate in today's extreme sports.

Today, the rage in sports is not exactly of the organized variety. There aren't any professional teams or multimillion dollar contracts. The recognition and celebrity status is not equivalent to the cult hero status of yesteryear. Success is personal. Sports are not merely physical, but psychological. Today's sports take on a whole new edge of determination, stamina, and daringness.

No longer are we content to take a leisurely stroll in the forest, but instead we want to tackle the big three, the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Coast Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail, each covering thousands of miles and taking several months to complete. We no longer want to merely climb a mountain, but we aspire to climb all 54 peaks in Colorado that are over 14,000 feet. We no longer want to take a relaxing bike ride, but we want to push our body's to the limit, riding 40 miles up the side of 6,684 ft. Mt. Mitchell, the tallest peak in North Carolina, just to see if we can do it.

Today's sports recognize no boundaries, no limits, no fear. Today's sports flow on unchartered waters. They elevate the athletic experience to one of almost a spiritual experience. Pain is no longer pain. Fear doesn't exist. Mind over matter is the mantra of the athlete.
The new generation of athletes sees recreation in the likes of snowboarding, windsurfing, ice climbing, and bouldering. The rewards are not material, but personal. They are a celebration of the marriage of both mind and muscle where the only thing that separates the winners from the losers is the act of quitting. Today's sports are a personal triumph over physical and psychological thresholds. They are the ultimate athletic experience, pushing the body towards unknown limits just to see if it can be done.

While there is no particular image among today's athletes, they run the gamut in age and both sexes are equally represented, there is a consensus when it comes to their attitudes. Just like the athletes of yesterday, today's athletes participate in sports for the sheer love of the game. It's just a different year and a different game.

Since the dawning of time, humankind has been driven by three powerful forces that are necessary for its very survival. While the first two are relatively easy to conceive, food and shelter, perhaps the third requires a bit more of an explanation. It's hard to state exactly why the third force is so important to the human race other than to suggest that perhaps in the beginning it was the motivating factor that drove us to compete with other animals for food and shelter. Also, it probably is responsible for the continuation of the human race considering the competition involved in securing a mate. Have you figured it out yet? Of course you have! its sports. Wait a minute. What do sports have to do with something as profound as the survival of the human race, you may ask? Everything - and that is my final answer.

Okay, okay, I'll try to explain! and if that doesn't work, I'll resort to rationalizing. It's easy to follow the evolution of sports when you consider how monotonous the act of acquiring food must have been to our ancestors. Why not turn it into a sport and put a little fun and competition in it? Then we can brag about how tough the "game" really was, revel in our athletic prowess, and finally take home our trophy of elk meat to our families. And how else can you explain what would motivate someone to spend days, weeks, and even months constructing elaborate shelters? Spend a few days stuck with a climbing party stranded on the side of a mountain waiting for the weather to clear, and anything becomes a game including seeing who can construct the quickest snow shelter, erect the fastest tent, etc. I think you get the message.

Then of course, the evolution of sports has progressed to include the organized team sports of the 19th and 20th centuries. When you consider the salaries of some of the top athletes, it is easy to see why I included sports as a powerful force necessary for survival. I mean, who wouldn't want a multi-million dollar contract? Finally, we advance to the newest breed of sports currently dominating the 21st century.

These sports are the most challenging, the most extreme, and the most downright obsessive of all sports since the beginning of time. Some label them extreme sports, some endurance sports, but regardless of the name, it is all the same thing. What else would possess a human being to participate in an ultramarathon where runners cover distances of 50, 100, 150 plus miles at one time? Indeed, what would possess the elitist ultramarathon runner, Dean Karnazes to run for 262 miles straight (the equivalent of 10 marathons back to back without resting) and attempt to go for 300 miles at a time? And how else do you explain the motivation behind cyclist Lance Armstrong opting to ride his bike for three grueling weeks across the French countryside, six years in a row, and then want to do it all over again next year. Finally, what would compel sane men and women to want to climb the over five mile high Mount Everest, even though the few "winners" who actually reach the top face an astronomically high fatality rate? The reason: sports - and that is my final answer.

There's a scene in the movie "A League of Their Own" where the ball gets away and lands by a young black woman watching the game. The woman picks up the baseball and throws it smack into the mitt of a player. Today, this woman would be on the team rather than the sidelines. But it was the 1940s and blacks were not allowed to play on white baseball teams.

So what's a black woman baseball player to do in the pre-integration years if she wants to get into the game? If that woman is Toni Stone, she plays with the guys in the Negro Leagues. Once Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier, Negro League superstars increasingly signed with the Major Leagues. Negro League owners had to come up with creative ways to keep fans in the seats; signing a woman to play was one gate attraction.

The Indianapolis Clowns signed Toni Stone in 1953. Signing Toni Stone may have been a PR stunt but she was no gimmick. Stone had played with barnstorming men's teams in San Francisco in the 40s. During her career she batted .243. One of Toni's biggest career highlights was hitting a single off of legendary pitcher Satchel Paige. Stone's career took her around the Negro Leagues to teams in Indianapolis, Kansas City, New Orleans, San Francisco, and Minnesota before her retirement from the game in 1954. Three years before her death in 1993, she became a pioneer member of the International Women's Sports Hall of Fame.

Following in Toni Stone's footsteps was 19 year old Connie Morgan who showed up for a tryout with the Indianapolis Clowns after hearing the team needed players. The Clowns were not only a dominant force (winning 4 pennants in 5 years) but also one of the most progressive teams as they signed all three women who played in the Negro Leagues. Morgan replaced Toni Stone at second base. Her athletic ability showed on the field and on the court as she was a standout basketball player during the offseason. Morgan played two years for Indy.

Mamie "Peanut" Johnson was the last woman signed by a Negro League team. She played one year (1954) for the Indianapolis Clowns. Nicknamed "Peanut" by a teammate because of her small size, Johnson held her own as a pitcher and utility player. She was part of the Clowns regular rotation, often going 6-9 innings. A scholar and an athlete, Mamie Johnson studied medicine and engineering at NYU before joining the Clowns. After retiring in 1955, Johnson began a 30-year nursing career and ran a Negro League Baseball store in Maryland.

Effa Manley left her mark off the diamond. She and husband Abe owned the Newark Eagles from 1935-1948. Manley broke the gender and racial glass ceilings in sports as she is the only woman to manage a pro baseball team. Manley's keen baseball and business senses gained her respect from players and league owners. She handled daily operations, public relations, player contracts, and even was Negro League treasurer. On the field, she called plays and rotated pitchers. Her PR skills landed over 100 VIPs, including New York Mayor LeGuardia, to the Eagles' inaugural game. A fiery competitor, Manley wasn't afraid to offer advice, unsolicited and otherwise, to players and other owners.

Effa Manley demanded the best from her players on and off the field. In return, she was a tireless advocate for better player salaries and working conditions. Always the savvy business mogul, Manley fought for compensation from MLB teams that signed Negro League stars. Her tenacity paid off when Major League owner Bill Veeck paid $15,000 for Eagles' star Larry Doby. From then on, MLB teams paid $15,000 for each player signed from a Negro League team.

Most people affiliated with the all-white women's baseball league deny any written or unwritten rules on having black women on their teams. "We had a few blacks try out, but they just weren't as good," said South Bend Blue Sox manager Carl Winsch in a interview. The more likely story is that these teams, like their Major League counterparts, weren't particularly interested in signing black players. Peanut Johnson recalled going to a tryout for an all-white girls' team in Virginia. "They looked at me like I was crazy. They never let me try out," said Johnson.

How sad. Like the MLB, the women's pro league missed out on some great athletes. Toni Stone, Connie Morgan, and Mamie Johnson excelled among their Negro League teammates, many of whom became superstars in the Major Leagues. The business savvy of Effa Manley would have made any team a success. There is little mention of these pioneers in the baseball history books. However, these four girls of summer made significant contributions to a sport they loved despite the gender and racial issues of their time. Each woman made the most of her opportunity and had fun at the same time. "Those were the best years of my life," said Peanut Johnson at a Negro League conference. "If they didn't let me play, I wouldn't be who I am today and I'm very proud of that."

Dr. William George Beers, a Montreal dentist, created the Montreal Lacrosse Club in 1856. One year later, when Canadian Lacrosse clubs numbered 80, Beers created a uniform set of rules which, in turn, created the Canadian National Lacrosse Association. This series of events and Dr. Beers in particular, are associated with the modern advent of lacrosse as an internationally recognized sport. It took slightly longer, approximately 10 years, for the game of lacrosse to move into the United States. In 1877, the first collegiate lacrosse game was played at New York University. Since then, the sport has prevailed throughout the United States, Canada and Europe with a team located at most major universities and even professional lacrosse teams scattered across North America. The roots of lacrosse, though, are much older and stretch back before the first explorer discovered North America, and is thought to be originated by indigenous Native American tribes.

The earliest data on lacrosse came from missionaries like the French Jesuits immersed with the Huron tribes in the mid-1600s. Most of the information deals with a basic "play by play" if you will, team size and equipment used. Not until Beers published his Lacrosse in 1869, did an understanding of playing techniques become clear (most notably, those of the Mohawk) and then in 1890 James Mooney published his article "Cherokee Ball-Play" in American Anthropologist shedding even more light on the basis of the game and the rituals involved.

Aside from being just a game, lacrosse served a very important function in Native American society. The players and equipment were prepared by local shaman, ritually, since the victory could determine what tribe received land rights, whether or not an ailing Chief would recover, etc. The game of lacrosse was a deciding factor in many early Native American socio-political dealings.

Even though lacrosse was given its name by French settlers, essentially calling it the generic term for a curved stick (a crosse) and a ball, it is truly an invention of early Native Americans. Even though thousands of people play lacrosse today for colleges, high schools and even professionally, the sport sprang from a form of "organized war" designed to be brutal, but non-fatal.

by Tom Hanson

The steroid scandal that has dogged Major League Baseball over the winter took another bizarre twist with Congress deciding to subpoena a number of players to testify before the nation's lawmakers. The fact that Congress believes it should get involved in the issue has no doubt cast further dispersion on the current state of politics in our country.

The steroid scandal reached the ridiculous stages when the game's premiere player insisted that he was unaware that the creams he had been using on his body contained steroids. The fact that Barry Bonds attempted to profess innocence on this matter caused many to lose all faith in the slugger's ability to be truthful about the issue.

Later, when newspapers reporters confronted Bonds about the topic, he created additional clouds of doubt regarding his truthfulness with some very peculiar responses to the reporter's questions. At times Bonds attempted to deride these writers for asking, seeking to insinuate that they were trying to pursue a non-story. Then he emphatically tried to deflect interest in the topic by asking reporters to talk about something other than steroids.

In an even more bizarre twist, Bonds insisted that steroids had no effect on a hitter's ability to hit a baseball. The game's best player insisted that steroids did not help a batter make contact with a baseball, that only innate talent had such an effect.

His silly response caused an enormous public chuckle. Every aspect of research had already indicated that the use of steroids helped players build muscle mass and strength. The fact that greater strength allows for greater bat speed and the ability to supply a larger impulse on a ball, causing the ball to ricochet faster off the bat and carry further, seemed lost on Barry.

By the time Bonds' was finished answering questions, the media had been unable to get him to acknowledge either his use or the impact steroids was having on the game. Perhaps Bonds unwillingness to take any ownership for the problem is the reason that Congress has decided to subpoena players.

But Congress getting involved is about as bizarre as Bonds attempts to make steroids a non-issue. One can't help but wonder, doesn't Congress have more serious business to conduct, more important topics to discuss, than the supervision of a game played by men that is simply a form of entertainment?

Major League Baseball has a leadership structure in place to monitor itself and to handle the issue. Congress has no business getting involved. Instead, they should give the game time to sort through the steroid issue and develop an appropriate response that makes sense for those who play the game.

More importantly, Congress should focus on matters affecting the well being of our nation. Messing around trying to solve the problem of Major League Baseball simply does not have the same sense of urgency for Americans as the War in Iraq, the current budget issues or the fact that we have become a country divided into red and blue states.

In my capacity as a sports writer for our local newspaper I have the privelege of of covering the athletes and coaches who make up the teams at our local high schools. Befoe I began this job I didn't have th respect for these guys that I have now. I have found these people to be intensely dedicated to what they're doing, in a way that few outsiders realize.
One of our local schools has just recently advanced further into the playoffs in two different sports than they have ever gone in the school's history. I football they managed to advance into the semifinals of the state playoffs, quite an accomplishment since at the beginning of the year they were picked to finish fourth in their district, and out of the playoffs completely.
Interviewing the coach before the season began, he expressed some confidence in his squad, but did point out that his team was composed of a larger group of younger players than was normally the case. While he considered his football team to be a physically talented group, he was concerned that the mental pressure on a young team would be more than they could handle.
As the season began, his team experienced some losses in the early going, and it seemed to the outside observer that it would be difficult to recover from these losses and remain focused for the remainder of the season. However, as the season progressed, the team managed to win a few close games and gain some confidence. Ebtering the latter stages of the season, they managed some key wins and secured a spot in the playoffs, much to the surprise of the community.
Entering the playoffs as a decided underdog may have worked in their favor. It's easy for opponents to overlook a team that many would say backed into the competition and didn't deserve to be there. Well, one surprising win followed another, leading to a matchup at home against one of the more highly ranked teams in the state. After a back and forth battle, our home team managed to take the lead with a little over a minute left. the game was eventually won when the opposing team had a field goal go wide right. The win sent us on to the next week where we were defeated by the eventual state champions.
Covering this team throughout the season led me to an understaing of what it takes to have a season that led to such success. The kids and the coaches both worked long hours and devoted their time to doing whatever was necessary to win. Long hours were spent in the film room, breaking down every single aspect of offense and defense of the opponent. This work led to several key plays throughout the season that resulted directly from the study of the other team. equally long hours were spent on the practice field, reviewing a constantly changing array of formations and plays.
No one complained or griped about the extra work. No one had anything to say about the sacrifices each team member made in their personal life . The dedication and desire carried the team through to the end of a great season. I think it will serve as a lesson for anyone involved that can be carried on through life .
Many of these same athletes stepped onto a basketball court only days after their football season was over. Once again a dedicated group of coaches and kids went a long ways into the playoffs, overcoming early season dissapointments to wind up deep in the playoffs, playing and losing to the eventual champions.
It was a rare privelege for me to follow these boys on their journey. It's hard to describe the feelings they evoke when they step out onto the field, knowing that all their hard work has brought them to that point. They have to be admired and respected if for nothing other than their dogged determination.

Life can not be all work. It is well said that all work and no play make Jack a dull boy. Along with work, a person needs some entertainment also. And there are many means of recreation. We can read books, magazines, can play cards, watch TV, VCR. But they have some sort of limitation, as they provide no physical exercise. For this particular reason, sports are the best kind of recreation. These are an essential and integral part of our life. These activate human body and mind.

A sportsperson, while active in games, keeps on thinking continuously how to take decisions regarding jumping, catching, throwing and striking. The quick flow of oxygen through respiration increases the vital force of cells. A specific flow of energy passes through the body. Sport loving persons begin to thrive and strike on listening about a specific game they like. Games stimulate the nerve cells of players and sport lovers. Games have a magnetic effect on body and mind. Games are of varied nature. These are successfully played on land, in water and air.

Games also teach us a sense of discipline and duty. A good sportsperson always follows the rules of the game that teaches him or her discipline and teamwork. Games and sports also help in building the character. A good player always plays with a spirit of sportsmanship. The players do not play for their individual glory, but for the glory of the team. So they learn to help and cooperate with one another. And that training stands in good stead in life. Above all, sports teach us to accept even our defeat gracefully because success and defeat are the two sides of the same coin. They teach us that we should not feel discouraged by our failure. On the other hand, we should learn from our mistakes and try to do better the next time. All these reasons make the sports full of values and integrity!

BY RAE A. COSTA

When backpacking, your feet, ankles, and knees are treated much harsher than any other part of your body. More backpacking trips are ruined by sore knees, twisted ankles, and blistered feet. Sturdy, yet comfortable boots, proper socks, and trekking poles can alleviate soreness and make for a much more enjoyable hike.

BOOTS

The main purpose of boots is to protect and support your feet, along with cushioning them against constant pounding on hard or rocky terrain. Like with your backpack, if the fit isn't right you will suffer.

Fit should be your main concern when choosing footwear. Since feet swell during the day, it's best to shoe shop later in the day to ensure a proper fit. Of course shoe size can vary by manufacturer so you might have to try on several different sizes to find the most comfortable one. Try on both shoes and walk around a bit to get the feel of them.

How do you know what type of boot is best for you? For the most part there are only two types: lightweight and heavyweight. Heavyweight is made from leather and heavy rubber soles. Lightweight is made from a lighter type of leather or suede and synthetic fabrics.

What's best really depends on the type of hiking you'll be doing, such as during the summer or winter time and the terrain you'll be traversing, and of course your personal preference. Lightweight boots are the most popular, because they are in fact lighter, more flexible, and allow the feet to breathe better, thus your feet won't get as hot and sweaty as in a heavyweight boot.

To help decide what type might be best for you, remember for every pound on your foot equals 5 lbs. on your back. That can add up to alot of weight on your back, especially if you're already carrying a 40 lb. pack.

SOCKS

Just as you did choosing the right type of boots, you should spend just as much time on selecting socks. Most people overlook socks and grab just any old pair, but socks do make a difference. They cushion feet, prevent blisters, and keep feet cool and dry.

Although fluffy cotton socks may look comfortable they may not always be the best choice for hiking. Wool is a popular choice, as well as a wool blend made with lighter and cooler fabrics that wick away moisture, such as polypropylene. Whichever type you choose make sure they have a flat seam. Bulky seams rub and can cause blisters. Sock liners can be worn to provide extra protection against friction and blisters.

Heat is bad for wool socks because it removes lanolin from the wool and can cause synthetic fabrics to shrink. Be sure to check for special washing and drying instructions.

TREKKING POLES

Trekking poles resemble ski poles and like ski poles, are used primarily for balance. When used properly, trekking poles take pressure off the knees, help to maintain a rhythm while walking, which helps you to conserve energy, and can be used for navigating rough terrain to avoid twisted ankles.

They can also be used for a variety of other things, such as used to hang a tarp for a temporary shelter, as an emergency tent pole, to hold back bushes or move other obstructions from the trail, to find solid ground in marshy areas, to probe snow for rocks, or even be used as a fishing pole.

Their usefulness is limitless. Trekking poles should definitely be included on your required equipment list.

As with all of your equipment, take the time to find what's best for you. Depending on the type of backpacking you'll be doing some equipment may not be necessary. Research the various brands and talk to experts at the stores to learn what's good and what's not. Much of it has to do with your own personal perference and with experience it'll be easier for you to make equipment buying choices on your own.

Be educated about the equipment you'll be using, so you don't end up buying what someone else thinks you should have.

by Tom Hanson

When the Orlando Magic selected Dwight Howard with the first pick of the 2004 NBA, it was the second straight year that a high school athlete was drafted as the league's first pick in the Draft. But, in an unprecedented development, eight of the first nineteen players selected in 2004 were high school athletes.

These selections come after the remarkable first year performance of the number one pick from 2003, LeBron James. In just his second year, King James is already a bona fide NBA star.

James was so talented that the second year player actually considered turning pro after his junior year in high school. Unfortunately for James, he couldn't because NBA League rules prohibit a player who has not completed high school from being drafted.

The tendency for the NBA to continue to draft high school athletes in greater and greater numbers has a major impact on impressionable youngsters. The fact that every one of these hand-picked high school athletes are a lock to become instant millionaires also has a profound effect on our youth.

American teenagers yearn for the opportunity presented by the NBA, the sports equivalent of becoming a rock star. For these young men, they can think of nothing better than to be rich and famous, being paid absurd amounts of money by simply playing a game in front of adoring spectators.

Though numerous players are being drafted, long time NBA scout Marty Blake insists that it is extremely rare to see even one high school kid that possesses either the body type or the psychological stamina needed for the rigors of pro sports. In the eyes of Blake, the Kevin Garnett's and LeBron James' of the world are a true anomaly. There are far more athletes like current Celtic Kendrick Perkins, a high schooler that not only hasn't been able to excel, but has had difficulty even getting playing time.

For American youngsters, the success of a select few has all of them thinking they could just be the one high schooler to overcome the staggering odds against their becoming a professional athlete. But according to Michael Blackburn, if a young man is gifted enough to play high school sports, the chances that he will one day become a professional athlete is one in 13,000. An even more staggering statistic is that of the 550 thousand boys that will play high school basketball this year, only three one-hundredths of a percent will actually play professional basketball one day.

Blackburn writes further that for every opportunity in all professional sports combined, there are hundreds and hundreds of other professional opportunities lawyers. Notes Blackburn, "the odds of becoming a brain surgeon are far greater than that of earning a spot on an NBA team."

Perhaps the most startling statistic is the disconnect between what young athletes think of their ability and what constitutes reality. Whereas 59% of high school football and basketball players believe they will receive a college scholarship, the actual fact is less than 2% will.

Unfortunately, American children see the continuous emphasis our society places on sports. This emphasis is visible on our televisions and in our communities. More importantly, this emphasis is demonstrated by our actions.

In addition, our young athletes see society's willingness to glorify professional athletes. Our youngsters are painfully aware of an adult culture that places professional athletes on a pedestal, granting these professionals hero-like status. Young athletes dream of the attention given professional athletes and yearn for the enormous salaries doled out to even average performing professionals.

American teenagers have the impression that the surest way to success, both financially and in societal recognition, is to be able to throw down a dunk or to drain a three pointer. However, though our society constantly gives them that message, the chances of any one of these athletes realizing this youthful American Dream is less than that of winning a prize on a scratch lottery ticket.

The result of the past two NBA Drafts has another group of high basketball players around the country looking forward to the 2005 draft and the chance for the NBA dream. One can't help but wonder how the vast majority of those who fail to be drafted will feel.

More importantly, one can't help but wonder what those who have put all their eggs in the NBA basket will do if they are passed over on selection day. But we can be sure of one thing - those that are disappointed won't be alone.

It is generally said that "Health is Wealth", i.e., if we have a healthy body we can enjoy all things in our life! Also it is supposed that health can be maintained by exercise, balanced diet and keeping mind free of tension. But we all know that it is very difficult in today's busy life because a person can spare everything in his or her life except time! And for maintaining health time is very much essential. So, there could be something that can be adjustable in everyone's time schedule, i.e., convenient for all kinds of people. Exercise is very essential part of today's world because everyone is so busy that if he thinks of it, the major problem is of settlement of time, as said earlier! So we must think of such kind of exercise which is suitable for each time and person.

And you know Badminton can be the answer for this problem, because it is an outdoor as well as indoor game. Also it involves the whole body's movement. It is a light game, which involves a less burden on the body of player and can fulfill the need of body for exercise. If we are working in a corporate sector, having our own business or any other duty involving late hour return to home; then, the indoor stadiums built up by the clubs in the cities can be helpful! In other case, if we return to home in time, then, it can be of outdoor type. As compared to other indoor games like chess, carom-board, cards, etc., it involves physical exercise as well as some mental one also. As we said earlier that it is also an indoor game, it can be played in our own home because it needs not a lot of equipments or other things for playing. If we play it just for fun and exercise, it can be easily play on the roof of our home, for, it needs just two poles, a net, rackets and a shuttle. If we go for the cost of these things, it will be very low as compared to the benefits of playing badminton. There can be a minimum of two players and a maximum of four can play a set or round of the game. The players could be male or female or either of the two! And also there is lesser risk involved as compared to other games.

It is clear that Badminton is everybody's game and people of all ages can play it for their delight and enjoyment!

Motocross and Supercross are forms of off-road motorcycle racing that take place on closed courses. Though the sport of motocross dates all the way back to the 1920s in Europe, it did not really take off in the United States until the early 1970s. Supercross, an American innovation, got its start a few years later.

While there are big differences between the two sports, particularly in riding technique and bike set-up, there is an important similarity worth mentioning. Motocross and Supercross events both consist of races in two separate bike classes. One class, called the 125 Class, is limited to two- or four-stroke motorcycles with an engine displacement of between 0-125cc and 0-250cc, respectively. The other class, called the 250 Class, is limited to two- or four-stroke motorcycles with an engine displacement of between 150-250cc and 251-450cc, respectively.

The professional Supercross series consists of 16 rounds. The season usually begins on the first or second weekend of January, and runs until the first weekend of May. Supercross races take place on specially built man-made dirt tracks inside large-capacity baseball and football stadiums across the country. Some venues that have played host to the professional Supercross circuit in recent years include Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA, the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, IN, and the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, FL.

Several daytime pre-qualifying races and a seeding system determine which riders can participate in the night program. The night program, which is what the fans come out to see, is structured as follows. In the 125 Class, there are two six-lap heat races consisting of 22 riders each. Only the top nine finishers in each heat race advance to the Main Event, which is the only race of the evening in which riders can earn championship points. Those who do not directly qualify for the Main Event out of the heat races have a final opportunity to do so in the Last Chance Qualifier. In the four-lap LCQ, the top four finishers advance to the Main Event. The 15-lap 125 Class Main Event consists of a 22-rider field.

In the 250 Class, there are two eight-lap heat races consisting of 20 riders each. The top four finishers in each heat race advance to the Main Event. Those who do not qualify directly out of the heat races have to line up again in one of two semi-final qualifiers. The top five finishers in each six-lap semi advance to the Main Event, while the rest of the riders head to the LCQ. In the six-lap LCQ, only the top two finishers advance to the Main Event. The 20-lap 250 Class Main Event consists of a 20-rider field.

After the Supercross season winds down in May, the riders head outdoors to contest the 12-round National Motocross Championship that runs until September. Motocross races take place on closed, natural-terrain tracks. According to series rules, a professional-caliber motocross track must be between a half-mile and two miles long and should contain irregular obstacles, such as hills, jumps, bumps, and both right- and left-hand turns. Outdoor motocross tracks that have hosted the professional series in the past include Washougal Motocross Park in Washougal, WA, Red Bud Track 'n' Trail in Buchanan, MI, and Broome-Tioga Sports Center in Binghamton, NY.

Like in Supercross, pre-qualifying races and a seeding system determine which riders can participate in motocross main events. Motocross events are structured as follows. Both the 125 and 250 Class races are made up of a 40-rider field. Each class runs two timed races (called "motos") that last for 30 minutes plus two laps. In other words, once the stopwatch hits the 30-minute mark, the race continues for two additional laps. Independent scores are kept for each moto, with the event winner in each class determined by the highest combined score.

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is the governing body of professional Supercross and motocross in the United States. All participants in AMA-sanctioned events are subject to the rules and regulations set forth by the AMA.

As expected, Congress subpoenaed several Major League Baseball (MLB) players possible implicated as steroid users to testify before the House Government Reform Committee. For the last three months, Congress has been putting increased pressure on MLB and the rampant use of steroids being reported by books, such as Jose Canseco's auto-biography.

Former players, like Canseco and Mark McGwire, will testify next to current players like Jason Giambi, Sammy Sosa and Frank Thomas in front of Congress at a Mar. 17, 2005 hearing. Sitting in on the session, invited by the House Government Reform Committee, will include Players Association Head Donald Fehr, MLB Executive Vice Presidents Sandy Alderson and Rob Manfred and San Diego Padres General Manager Kevin Towers.

Once the subpoenas were handed out, MLB lawyer Stanley Brand immediately talked to the press about how ludicrous it is for Congress to be forcing players to testify before them and how it interferes with other inquisitions taking place around the league. The MLB believes this is an "in-house issue" and that they are entitled to deal with it as they please, despite calls from fans, players and elsewhere that say they have never cared much for taking care of the problem and that the administration of the league is at fault for it being such a deal now.

If the players decide not talk to Congress, the body could file a contempt citation on each player, which would eventually need to be approved by the entire House of Representatives and by a U.S. attorney. MLB has already said they will fight the charges, should they occur, with the U.S. District Court.
So far, Casco and Manfred have agreed to testify; Manfred would be representing MLB's Commissioner Bud Selig. Thomas said he would testify, but this was after a statement released by MLB saying he wouldn't was already released to the general public for consumption.

House Government Reform Committee Chairman, Tom Davis, released a statement saying that the other players and witnesses involved had made it clear that they want to part in the investigations and were ignoring them at all cost. If they choose to do so, they will further curtail them to the fullest extent of the law.Davis believes it is important for Americans to learn of the full scope of the steroid scandal in MLB and that it will hopefully showcase steroid use, its effects and its danger to players and the sport. He also hopes this highlights the dangers for players in other sports, not just in America but around the world.

MLB is citing an unprecedented intrusion into private records and a privately agreed upon drug policy between the players and the league; they claim Congress has no right to step into this matter, as it's a league matter, however, as Congress countered, the league had not taken any steps to prevent steroid use.

McGwire himself, the former homerun record holder, was using a legal steroid that bulked him up from his scrawny days as a rookie, when he broke the record. Rumors also ran around that Sosa, too, was on steroids at the time he chased McGwire for the records. Even Barry Bonds wasn't immune to rumors and truths, when it was found out that he, too, was using "legal" steroids when he broke McGwires record a few seasons ago.

Congress is concerned that the use of legal steroids is even too much for a professional sporting league; it promotes a culture of using drugs to get ahead and drugs to overcome physical attributes that athletes will begin to get physically bigger and bigger in competition to the point that the sport is no longer baseball but bodybuilding. While MLB is in the spotlight with the Congressional hearings pending, other sporting leagues are also beginning to take a look into their ranks to see where steroids play a part.

At the same time Congress subpoenaed the baseball players, they also instituted a stricter drug-testing policy in wake of the news. Many players believe that it's only a minority of players using steroids and are more than happy to take the test to get their name's out of the mud. Congress is still under the impression, as are the former players, like Casco, who have spoken out, that it is much more rampant than MLB is playing it out to be.

Casco, in his auto-biography, stated that not only did he witness McGwire taking steroids, but that he helped introduce many players to them and even injected the former homerun champion with steroids before games in the locker room.

By Rae A. Costa

Now that you've decided to give backpacking a try it's time to start buying equipment. Backpacking equipment is an investment. If you're serious and plan on backpacking more than once or twice in your life time, then the money is well worth it. However, you do have the option of renting equipment if you so choose. This is a good way to decide what you want before actually buying it.

For the beginner, carrying everything you need in a heavy pack on your back can be disconcerting and might cause you to not even attempt backpacking. But the right equipment can make a difference. One of the most important pieces of equipment used in backpacking is the backpack.

Fitting the pack

A good pack must be fitted to fit your specific body size and type. It's important this is done correctly; otherwise your pack will be unstable and uncomfortable, if not painful. The best way to ensure your pack is right for you is to buy from a reputable store that has an experienced staff member to help you pick and fit your pack.

The first step in finding the right pack is to find the right frame size. Packs come in any number of sizes. However, it's your torso length not your overall height that matters. The weight of the pack should rest on your hips, not your shoulders. Measure the distance between the top of your shoulders and your upper hipbone. The hip belt should rest about 3/4 to 1 inch above the hipbone.

External and Internal Frames

There are two types of backpacks: external and internal.

External packs have the frame on the outside of the pack and allows for extra items to be fashioned to the frame. These packs are easy to fit and transfer the weight directly through the frame to your hips.

Internal packs have the frame enclosed inside the pack. These frames are light and less bulky than external frames. They conform to your back allowing a body-hugging fit that gives more stability.

External or internal? The choice is based entirely on your personal preference. Try on both types to determine which fits and feels better on you.

Hip belts

The hip belt is by far the most important part of your backpack. The hip belt allows the weight of the pack to rest on your hips and not your shoulders and back. This allows you to stand upright and carry the load more comfortably.

A good hip belt should be padded and molded to your hips. It should be stiff enough so it doesn't bend or fold under the weight of a heavy load.

Shoulder, Shoulder Stabilizer, and Sternum Straps

For the most part shoulder straps do nothing more than keep the pack from falling off your back. Shoulder stabilizer straps run from the top of the shoulder straps to the pack. These straps pull the pack load over your shoulders to increase stability. Both straps are adjustable to ensure a better fit.

Sternum straps come standard on most packs. These straps pull the shoulder straps into the chest to help with pack stability. If by chance a sternum strap doesn't come with your pack, you can buy the strap separately and attach it.

There are so many backpacks on the market it seems almost impossible to find the right one. Research the different styles, talk to an expert, have patience, and keep trying them on until you find one that's right for you. Once you hit the trail you'll be thankful you took the extra time to find the perfect backpack.

By Rae A. Costa.

So you want to be a backpacker? Backpacking can be a wonderful, life enhancing experience. But for those that are ill equipped, unknowledgeable, and with unrealistic goals, however, it can be a horrible experience, if not a deadly one. Bad first experiences can shape bad opinions about backpacking. Unfortunately many of those people never attempt it again.

With a little knowledge, some physical fitness, and proper planning backpacking can become a fantastic way to take in a different view of the world. Now that you've decided to go backpacking, where do you start? Preparation starts long before your feet ever touch the trail.

Fitness

Backpacking requires more than just walking. It requires good cardiovascular, agility, and muscle fitness. Muscle fitness is important, especially in the legs, otherwise you'll wake up after the first day stiff and achy and not really looking forward to hiking anymore. The likelihood of injury is much greater if your muscles are weak and out of shape.

Know your physical condition then set realistic fitness goals. Don't start an intense workout program a week before the hike. If you don't have a current program, return to it gradually. Take it slow and let your body get used to the movements again.

Try to walk a few miles everyday. A good way to prepare is to take some practice hikes in your local mountains. Get used to walking on uneven terrain, up and down hills, and in altitude. As you become comfortable and your body is able to do more, start carrying your pack. The best way t0 practice carrying a heavy backpack is to carry a heavy backpack, but work up in weight. Don't try to carry a 40 lb. pack all at once.

Physical fitness is only part of it however. Mental fitness is just as important. Going from a metropolitan area, for example, and into the wilderness can be overwhelming if you aren't used to that type of environment.

Be prepared for different sights, sounds, and smells. Researching the area will help you to know what type of wildlife, flowers, and fauna you can expect to see. If you're not used to spending the night outdoors, take a short camping trip to one of your local parks just to get the feel of nature.

Above all, expect extreme solitude. Depending on where you plan to hike, you might not see another human being for several days, if at all. That can be quite unnerving if you're not prepared.

Planning & Knowledge

Detailed planning and organization is a must for beginning backpackers. Guidebooks, maps, outdoor magazines and the Internet can help in planning your trip. Once you've selected your destination start gathering information regarding wilderness permits, camp sites, hiking trails, type of terrain, water sources, weather patterns, trail closures, park rules, etc. Thoroughly research your destination.

Make sure your planned hike is conducive to your experience and fitness level. Get a topography map and learn the terrain in which you'll be hiking. Map out an exact route. Set realistic goals on daily hiking distances. Terrain will inevitably play a part in how far you hike each day. If the trail is a switchback expect to hike a shorter distance than if the trail is flat and smooth.

Mark possible camp sites or other sheltered areas along the way, locate water sources, points of interest, trail detours, and if there are places to stop for supplies if needed. The extra effort you put into researching and planning your adventure will definitely payoff once you reach the trailhead.

Don't forget to make a checklist. Checklists are great to help ensure you have packed all the necessary equipment, clothing, and food you'll need on your hike. It would be really bad if at the end of the first day's hike your discover you forgot to pack your stove or tent! Take notes during your hike to remember items that would be nice to have on your next trip.

Planning a backpacking trip takes time and energy. Don't get frustrated, because once you reach your destination all the organization and planning fades away and then it's just you and Mother Nature.

The Language:
Trailhead - The starting point of a hiking trail.

Topographic Map (Topo map) - A map showing the features of the earth's surface, usually by means of contour lines to show changes in elevation.

Global Positioning System (GPS) - A system of satellites, receivers, and computers that is able to determine the latitude and longitude of a receiver on Earth by calculating the time difference for signals from different satellites to reach the receiver. Basically, it's a good way to determine your location so you don't get lost.

Switchback - To proceed in sharp turns in alternating directions on a steep incline.

So you've been struggling to find a fun sport to do for fun, or for health benefits. Below are listed some excellent sports to get your adrenaline pumping, smiles all over your face, along with the name of the sport is a description of the game.

Floor Hockey - You will need hockey sticks appropriate for wood floors (it is preferred to do in a gym, or cement works as well) and 6 players on each team (a total of 12) Each side of the court/floor will need a goalie to guard the goal. The objective is to score goals with the hockey puck. There are several rules, such as off-sides, penalty shots, slashing, and etcetera.

Frisbee Football - This game is fun and easy, considering that the only thing that you will need is a Frisbee! Distribute an even amount of players (you don't HAVE to if you are short of some teammates) on each side, as well as 1 goalie on each end (2 goalies total). You throw the Frisbee to your teammates across the field to try and get the Frisbee into the goal to score a point, while the opposing team attempts to intercept the passes. When the opposing team intercepts the Frisbee they will switch to the other goal that they are trying to score from. There are off-sides, and other rules that apply.

Handball - This can be a moderately intense game if attempted to, but for the most part it is quite leisurely. As Floor Hockey above, you will need 6 players on each team as well. You will need a small soft ball and 1 goalie on each end, as always. You will pass the ball to your teammates, as the opposing team tries to intercept the ball to score a goal. You may not hit the ball out of the opposing team's hands; you must wait to intercept the ball in the air. There are off-sides and penalty shots, and the ball must NOT fall on the ground. If the ball falls on the ground, it will go to the opposing team, so remember to keep it in the air! If you hit the ball out of the opposing team's hands, the opposing team will be served a penalty shot.

Wiffle Ball - This is a softer version of baseball and soft-ball for indoor gym activities! You will use a plastic hand sized ball and there will be 4 base mats, just like the outdoor game. With common sense, you should all know that you will need a bat. In most cases for this game, you use a plastic bat. This game does not necessarily have to have a particular amount of players on each team, but it might be wise to have the team in the outfield with a more restricted number of people. As usual, it is 3 strikes of the bat- and you're out! It is a very leisurely game and quite fun!

Pickle Ball - As Wiffle Ball is a more leisurely version of base-ball and softball, Pickle Ball is a more leisurely version of Tennis. You will need a net in the middle of the court, and 2 players on each team, and 2 paddles. A small hand sized plastic ball will be used for this game. The person serving the ball will serve to the person opposite of them on the other side. You will attempt to keep the ball going back and fourth from both teams until a game point is scored. There are sidelines that are counted as out, so try to keep the ball in the court or your opposing team may get the ball! A typical game usually lasts 7 - 14 minutes. Extremely light in exercise, but none the less a very fun game!

Frisbee Tag - Being that Frisbee is so fun, here is another game that you can play! This game is fairly to extremely intense! Who would have thought Frisbee could ever leave you breathless? You can have as many players as desired, but try to make sure it is an even count! Very simple and basic rules for this game, yet extremely exhilarating! There are no goalies needed, but you run and try to hurry to get the ball passed to your teammates before the opposing team tags you! If they tag you, the other team gets the ball, and you keep chasing each other! Very fun for excitement, laughter and a superb fitness routine to get into!

Line Tag - This is another really fun game to consider as well. You will need a gym court for this game, and no teammates! You are an individual on this task trying to get out of a situation of getting caught! Do not have more than 6 people on the court at one time while playing this game or it will be too easy to tag! In this task you must stay on every line of the gym court. You run around the court on the lines trying to tag one another. If you step off of the lines, you're out! If you're tagged as well, obviously to common knowledge, you will be out as well.

Horse-Back riding - If you have access to go take horse riding lessons, or have a friend (it always works if you own one too) that approves of letting you, go ride that thing into the wind! You wouldn't think that horseback riding could make you fit, but it is quite the work-out. Especially when you go at a faster pace than just having the horse walk (don't torture it though!). This will work your abdominals like crazy! Get some imagination and go ride on a trail in the mountains, or on the beach of the ocean. If you don't have access to that, of coarse a field would work too.

Swimming - No, this does not necessarily mean that you have to have a pool. If you have access to mountains, go jump in a crystal clear lake and if you really feel like going wild, try swimming under the stars! Pools can be very fun too, especially if they provide a diving board or a water-slide. Swimming is an excellent, relaxing but wonderful way to get toned up. You use all of your body parts when swimming and it can be either extremely wild or very relaxing. Perhaps there is a safe creek that you can wade in, or always the ocean or sea if you have access to it. Use water toys to make it more exciting, there are many games that you can play such as Marco Polo and etcetera. Go wild and get wet!

Hiking - A VERY wonderful way to get a breath of fresh air, relax, endure the meditation of nature and get fit in a hurry! Make sure that you keep a water bottle near you at all times, and bring a friend to make it more fun. You will find that when you are hiking a mountain on a trail you take greater strides with your legs and your heart rate climbs up dramatically! This is a recommended exercise for pure enjoyment and meditation for the mind! Be sure that you are safe and know how to find your way back and keep your body well hydrated.
There are some wonderful activities that you should give a shot at! Give them a try, you'll have a lot more fun than you think!

Asian basketball players: Sung-Jin- Ha and Sung-Yoon-Bang

Two players already super hot in Korea and making a swish in our basketball hearts in America is Sung-Jin-Ha, and Sung-Yoon-Bang. Ha only 19, and is now playing for the Portland Trail Blazers. Ha is from South Korea weights 305 lbs. height 7-3 new to the blazers but already making strong headway he is a massive center, and will soon show the NBA he means business.
- Ha 7-foot-4-inch enters the U.S.A. on Dec. 3, 2004
- Starts playing for the Portland Reign ABA
- Plays 20 minutes for the first time as an affiliate of the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers against the Fresno Heat wave this is the beginning of the season for them.
- Ha grabs himself 15 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks, still the team lost 121-106.
- He was drafted 46th pick in June's NBA


The other talent player which hasn't yet achieved NBA status yet, but is already as popular as Michael Jordan in Korea is man known as Sung-Yoon-Bang. He is a starter for the Roanoke Dazzle in the NBDL. He made superstar status in Korea after defeating Yao Ming in the China vs. Korea game in the Olympics. The Koreans love him for that fact.
Sung-Yoon Bang age 22 years old 6-5 shooting starter guard at a game against the Patriots scored 13 points with four rebounds putting on a show on the court to beat the Fayetteville Patriots 114-90 in its season starter. He opened for the first 20 minutes of the game. The NBDL is impressed with this 20th pick in the dazzle draft.
Will the big bang theory hold true? Everyone is hoping and praying that the dazzle star will shine bright like the Roanoke city star. Bang who is still learning English walks around with friend and translator Gilbert Lee. Bang's life dream is to star in the NBA and he looks confidant enough to do just this. His team mates agree that he has NBA star potential and that he could make it on his own. He is only the second Korean to play basketball in the United States professionally. With 11.2 points per game his shot can be explosive with a game high of 28 points this year. His name sounds good right after he drains a three from the three point line “Bang-Bang for three!” An unselfish player sometimes his teammates have to tell him to shoot it bang!
The fans love to watch him play and come to the dazzle from all over just to see him play. Sometimes they ask about him by name. Back home he is considered a hero because of the Korean vs. China win. This win was a first for Korea in 20 years. Bang has some basketball hero's of his own he likes Michael Jordan well who doesn't and Steve Kerr, Mike Bibby is another hot favorite of Bang. In the local Roanoke area you can catch Bang's games at the Roanoke Civic Center. New to the Civic Center is the flock of Korean fans dieing to see this rising dragon warrior play. His fire and intensity is impressive especially when he dives for a loose ball. He's also not afraid to shoot taking shots from anywhere and everywhere he sees fit. Fully recovered from his injuries he is ready to take the NBA by storm. Yao watch out because Bang might be playing you again sometime soon in your near future. And just like the China game this Korean gem is going to shine the floor with the Rockets.
There are other Asian players worth mentioning. Nov. 16 Satoshi Miyata Signs with Warriors and becomes one of the key players on the Ontario (California) pro team. The Japanese native is proclaimed the first of its kind to be on a Warriors team. Miyata age 26 was a star in Japan for two whole seasons before the scouts saw that this basketball player had some true star quality potential. This 5-11 145 pound point guard can bring speed and quickness to the team, and bring the Warriors to their true potential. The Warriors will start a long 36-gaming schedule, which will be held to begin on Nov. 19 2005.
Yao Ming 7-6 310 pounds center started playing for the Rockets with a vengeance known for his block shots and strong center abilities he is a force to be recognized. Averaging 18 points a game this China man started in the Olympics as well as the NBA. Both of his parents played basketball so he has the basketball coursing through his veins. He loves the game and is known for being a really nice guy on and off the court. With all these new athletes coming from other parts of the globe it nice to see that the NBA has such great talented players in the mix.

I am sure most of you, by now, have seen the first major upset of championship week. The 12-18 Oakland Grizzlies, from Rochester, Michigan, defeated Oral Roberts and are on their way to the NCAA tournament for the first time. Keep in mind that Oakland University has only been a D-1 program for seven years. But, the best part about their stunning upset victory is who orchestrated it, 6-1 junior guard Pierre Dukes. Down two points with less than two seconds to go, Dukes' drained a three to win the game for his team. I had the good fortune of being able to watch Pierre Dukes all through his high school career in Grand Blanc, Michigan. He was a fantastic ball-handler, a great shooter and a hard-nosed defender--in short, P-Dub was the man. If I am not mistaken, Dukes led the Big Nine conference his senior season in scoring at better than 25 points a game--unheard of in the conference.

I hadn't seen much of Pierre since he started playing for Oakland University, and I had already begun to question whether or not it was a good fit for him. When I watched him play at the Flint Pro-Am at Northwestern High School in the summer, he looked very impressive. But, his game had not yet translated to the college level. Recently, another hometown boy, Kris Kryzminski, left Oakland for reasons yet unknown and this might have been the opportunity Pierre had been looking for. Kryzminski's departure left a lot of minutes for someone coming off of the Grizzlies' bench.

Oakland University's triumph over Oral Roberts to get into the tourney for the first time is just part-and-parcel to the greatness of college basketball. In short, there is no better time to be a sports fan than in March. 95 percent of these kids are playing for the love of the game, for a chance to win a national title. Only a relatively small handful will ever make millions in the NBA; for most, this tournament truly is their "one shining moment" in sports.

We know full well that Oakland University will get mollywhopped in their opener, probably versus Illinois--but t hey made it nevertheless. What follows is my breakdown of the NCAA tournament, the 2005 edition:

Once again this year I think we are dealing with a very top-heavy tournament. I fully expect to see no less than three one seeds in the final four. If I were doing the choosing, the number one seeds would look like this:

(1) Illinois
(1) North Carolina
(1) Kentucky
(1) Wake Forest

The only team I forsee losing out of those four is Kentucky. I do not think they have been tested as often as North Carolina and Wake Forest, regular-season testing makes a team tournament tough.

There are, however, a few darkhorses this year. These are basically the teams that inconsistently amazing, teams that could beat anyone on a given night. Teams like Villanova, Michigan State, Oklahoma, Gonzaga, Alabama, Wisconsin, Florida and Georgia Tech.

Once again, I think this will be a year of mild upsets with the behemoths rising to the top.

If I had to pick a national champion right now, I will say North Carolina. No team is as loaded with talent as the Tar Heels. Even without the services of their best player, Rashad McCants, North Carolina has been winning games by huge margins--averaging over 90 points a game. Once McCants is healthy, they will have the most potent team in college basketball. They have the five must-haves:

1.) A dominant big man in Sean May, the best in the country
2.) A solid point guard, Ray Felton
3.) An athletic scoring on the wing, Rashad McCants
4.) Solid reserves
5.) Great coaching, Roy and the boys

Anyone who saw how Sean May dominated Duke's Sheldon Williams knows how much of a force this guy can be. In the tournament, in my opinion, center is the most pivotal position. It was for UConn last year with Emeka Okafor and this should be no different. Duke is very thin in the post, and teams will try to exploit that.

Look for a team like Oklahoma to make some noise. They have a good bench, some nice guards, and a power forward named Taj Gray, last year's JUCO player of the year, who can dominate at times. That, along with a tournament-tested coaching staff should make them a tough out. All-in-all, it will be an exciting March.

Go Spartans.

For the first time in American history, a sports season was cancelled. The National Hockey League (NHL) cancelled their 2004 - 2005 hockey season after the league and the Players' Association failed to come to an agreement to new bargaining terms. While other professional sports league, such as Major League Baseball (MLB), had to either shorten or substitute their seasons for such events as the Great Depression or World War II, the Stanley Cup had been given out despite the great turmoil that faced the nation until now.

Even the 1995 NHL lockout which ended after 103 days when the Players' Association finally accepted a last minute offer after intense negotiations, a meager 48 game season was still able to play out. The NHL now has the ignominy of being known as the first North American major professional league to have to cancel an entire season, something that will haunt the organization for years to come in lost revenues, lost players and most importantly, lost fans.

The NHL and Players' Association sought to come to a collective bargaining agreement (CBA). A CBA, at least within the NHL, sets forth the rights and obligations of the players, the teams and the league for a set period of time. The current CBA expired on Sept. 15, 2004.

NHL Commissioner, Gary Bettman, delivered the somber news on Feb. 16, 2005. Bettman gave the Player's Association until 11 A.M. EST to accept the NHL's final offer - featuring a $42.5 million US per team salary cap, without linking player costs and salaries to that number. However, the deal was denied by the Players' Association and now while the NHL is planning for a 2005 - 2006 season.

What it comes down to, in layman's terms, is that the NHL is losing profit and doesn't have enough money to pay the ever increasing demand from players to raise their salaries. Unfortunately, hockey isn't as widespread of a sport as something like football or baseball, which makes billions - in some cases - a season. However, hockey players still want more for a salary than the NHL is earning per season, hence, the emotions behind the debates at the negotiation table. Bettman believes that the reason players are demanding more money is because they want to win and teams are willing to pay them top dollar to bring their franchise to the top.

The Wall Street Journal reported during the negotiations the scope of economic troubles for the NHL from the 2003 - 2004 season, citing that more than two-thirds of the 40 NHL teams lost revenues.

The day after the announcement, after both fans and players had a chance to react, the NHL released statements concerning the future of the 2005 - 2006 season. While most hope for a full season, it is possible that if an agreement is not reached, replacement players from around the world will be brought in on temporary, low-pay salaries to start the season until a tentative agreement can be reached with the Players' Association. Bettman warns that depending on the economic fallout of this lost season, there may not be a hockey season for a few years.

The Players' Association originally sought more than $49 million US per team with a "luxury tax" which the NHL turned down immediately the day before the announcement. They also sought to create exemptions to the salary cap for up to 10 per cent over the $49 million US limit at a tax rate of 150 per cent. They also proposed the so-called luxury tax would increase each year of the new agreement. Players' Association Chairman Bob Goodenow told the media the day of the announcement that there would be no season that the players were adamant in their demands and this needed to be done to preserve a fair deal on both sides.

As of today, there are rumors circulating that two major American corporations wish to share a joint-bid to buy the entire NHL for $3.5 billion US. This bid was pitched to the league on Mar. 1, 2005 and has yet to receive a serious response. Under the bid, the two companies would run the entire league as one corporation with individual team franchises. This bid would require all 30 team owners to come to a consensus, which is highly unlike, in the uncertain times the negotiations have created.

Many NHL players will continue to play in other leagues around the world, most notably in Europe, while others will continue to play on national teams in the wake of the cancelled American season.

Doctors, television, and magazines today are telling us that we as a nation are overweight and desperately need to exercise. For some, we don't exercise because we don't have time; others neglect this important aspect of being healthy because of a general dislike for the gym. Well, one way to get in a good workout without spending hours bored on the treadmill is to look to sports. Different sports offer great athletic workouts as well as a fantastic way to liven up an old, tired, workout routine, and finally put some fun back into your exercise regime.

If you are looking to try a new sport as a way to fit exercise into your life, it is always a safe bet to start with jogging. While most people think they aren't "runners" per say, or may question whether jogging is actually a sport, simply look to your local park district and you will find numerous running clubs for all skill levels. Running outdoors is one of the best ways to stay in shape, and make friends and see great scenery along the way. Jogging is also one of the least expensive sports to pick up, as all it takes is a pair of running shoes, shorts, and a t-shirt. No fancy equipment is required for this great form of exercise, and the health benefits are immeasurable.

If jogging sounds absolutely painful to you, as it does to some, you may want to try roller blading. Roller blading offers your legs and butt a fantastic workout, and is not quite as menacing as running. If you are a beginner, you may want to invest in a helmet and some knee and elbow pads in addition to your skates and you will be ready to go. Try blading along a paved bike path, or along the lake if you can. Roller blading is an absolutely wonderful workout and is lots of fun too.

In addition to these solo sports, getting involved in team sports is another fun and different way to incorporate exercise into your daily routine. Most cities have recreational leagues that enable you to join teams in every type of sport from volleyball and basketball to kickball and soccer. Every single type of sport engages your muscles, and will give you a type of workout you may not have experienced for years. Plus, the team atmosphere and camaraderie are a great way to have fun and meet people. Most of us abandon team sports after our high school years, but countless adults across the country are rediscovering this very enjoyable way to stay in shape without the pain of a circuit workout.

Working out doesn't have to be a chore. In many instances, people will not commit to an exercise program unless they enjoy it. If you are one of the many who could do without the Stairmaster and confines of a sweaty gym, look into local sports clubs or lace up your running shoes, and give one of these sports a try. You never know, you may be surprised at just how much fun working out can be.

Major league baseball has many teams with diehard fans. We watched the formerly cursed Boston Red Sox win World Series last year, defeating the talented favored New York Yankees. One team whose dedicated fans have watched their team fall short year after year, are the usually loveable Chicago Cubs. Cubs' fans maintain their loyalty in the face of upsetting losses, and unbearable costly mistakes. With baseball season before us, Chicagoans are ever hopeful that this is the year their beloved Cubs will bring a championship home to the Windy City and the bill goat curse will finally be broken.
Although most people don't believe in curses, for Cubs fans it is hard to ignore the black cloud that has seemed to hang over Wrigley Field for decades. The Cubs have not won a championship since 1908, but have come close. The famous curse on the Cubs is said to have been placed by a tavern owner who was passionate about the Cubs, but whose pet goat was not allowed to enter the fourth game of the World Series in 1945. The curse has supposedly lifted, but Cubs fans will not believe it until they see their team win the World Series.
Many changes took place within the Cubs roster this year, the most talked about being the trade of Slamming' Sammy Sosa. Sosa had long been a favorite amongst Chicago fans, but an embarrassing corked bat incident coupled with a bad temper had fans angered and upset with this player. Sosa was eventually traded to the Baltimore Orioles for Jerry Hairston Jr. and two minor league players who manager Dusty Baker believes have good potential. Another fan favorite, Moises Alou was traded as well. The combined trades of these two top players worries some, but Dusty Baker tries to assure concerned Cubs fans, that the new team will be able to overcompensate for the loss of Sosa and Alou.
Overall, the Cubs are looking like somewhat of a different team this spring. The pitching well is deep with Kerry Wood, Greg Maddux, Mark Prior, and Glendon Rusch returning. As far as our catchers go, we have Henry Blanco and Michael Barrett lined up to play. According to Baker, the combination of Maddux pitching and Barrett behind the plate has looked good in spring training and the pre-season. In the infield, the Cubs have Nomar Garciaparra, Todd Walker and Derek Lee amongst others. And, in the outfield the team will be playing Todd Hollandsworth, Corey Patterson, Jason DuBois and a couple more talented youngsters.
In the great city of Chicago, there are few fans as devoted as the Cubs fans are. On any given game day, Wrigley Field and its surrounding areas are thriving with energy. Fans line up before dawn to purchase tickets, and those who cannot attend the game gather in the local bars and pubs, watching intently and cheering on their team. At the start of every single baseball season, Chicagoans cross their fingers and hope that this will be the year of the Cubs. Hopefully, this season, the devoted fans will be rewarded, the curse of the Billy goat will be broken, and the Chicago Cubs will emerge champions.

In Test cricket following are some rules and regulations:

How a batsman can get out?
There can be nine types how a batsman can get out.

• Bowled
• Caught
• Leg Before Wicket(lbw)
• Run out
• Stump out
• Hit Wicket
• Handling the ball
• Not responding after a batsman gets out
• Non striker leaving the crease before the ball is bowled

How a batsman can make runs:

• By hitting the ball with the bat
• Bu hitting the ball with his leg unintentionally
• Overthrows
• If the ball goes past the batsman and the wicketkeeper untouched
  

How many runs can a batsman get:

• Four runs with a boundary
• Six runs with a sixer
• A maximum of four runs by running
• More than six runs by running and overthrows together
• A maximum of six runs if a no ball is hit with bat to the boundary
  

• A single batsman cannot bat
• Both the batsmen are supposed to change their respective ends after every over
• The batsman is supposed to take the strike after the umpire allows the bowler to bowl
• Neither of the batsmen can run on the wicket while taking a run
• A batsman can not change his stance after the bowler starts running to bowl
• Both the batsmen must touch some part of their respective bats or bodies over the line of the popping crease at opposite ends to get a complete run
• The batsman can not use the reverse side of the bat intentionally
• A batsman if hurt can ask for a runner
• If a batsman is declared out caught then he can ask for a replay to see if the catch was taken cleanly
• A batsman is allowed to get the sight screen behind the bowler's arm moved according to his need
• A batsman can get away from strike before the ball is bowled for any disturbance behind the bowler's arm
• A batsman can complain to the umpire if he is facing difficulty to see the ball because of bad light
• A batsman can complain to the umpire if the shape or color of the ball is not proper
• A batsman if hurt can get retired hurt and can again come to bat after another batsman gets out
• A batsman can take guard from the umpire as and when needed to mark his stumps while taking stance
• A batsman can object to the umpire if the bowler is wearing something beyond the prescribed uniform and which is causing disturbance to his concentration
• A batsman can change his wearing according to his facility in between the overs
• In case a batsman having a runner on the field runs himself and the fielder hits the stumps with the ball then he can be considered run out by measuring his own position and not of the runners

In today's world sports can provide the much needed entertainment and relaxation of mind, as every aspect of life seems to be full of anxiety, pressure, restlessness, tension and all those things. Cricket is one of those sports! This sport can be included among the five most popular ones namely Soccer, Lawn Tennis, Formula 1, Golf and the other is Cricket. Well all these games are full of excitement and wonderful instances. So let us talk about Cricket here.

Place of Origin:

As we all can keep our fingers crossed thinking when and where this beautiful game must have originated, the first place that comes to our mind is somewhere in Europe because the European had established their strongholds over many countries in Asia and Africa for such a long time that their cultural impacts can still be seen! The Americans do not play cricket very keenly because they have a very similar game of their liking called Baseball. If we point out some local games of any community then a very long list can be made of the whole world. Cricket is one of these local games of United Kingdom which has three parts namely Scotland, The Great Britain and England which are further divided among counties. This term county is associated with cricket, which makes it county cricket. Although a debate is on as some people believe that the ancient Vikens used to play a game several decades back that was pretty similar to cricket. As today cricket was nonexistent entity, so the believe the birth of cricket took place from the Vikens and not from the Normans which were the original English people.

Charm of Cricket:

This game has come out of ages from a local game to an international one. The reason why this game has become so much popular is not one. While thinking of these reasons we must keep in mind the fact that this game is liked mostly by those people who have been ruled over by the English people. So this is one of the wonderful aspects associated with this game. Now, let's take a U-turn from the game and think about human mind. Generally human mind likes and dislikes! Something new every moment is its basic need. Well it can't stop even for a while where something or the other is not happening at all. It likes something very unpredictable, uncertain and unknown and of funny nature of course. Cricket has all these ingredients to provide a suitable entertainment to the mind. That is why it is being liked by all sorts of people, be they are poor, rich, young, old, male, female and it goes on like that.

Forms of Cricket:

Previously cricket was played virtually at one level only and that was First Class Cricket. In the olden days cricket was a game of Kings, Lords, Princes and all those rich category people. The international form of First Class Cricket is described as Test Cricket. In Test Cricket a single test match is played in five days. Both the teams have to bat twice in these five days. Previously there used to be a rest day after two days of play, which now has been excluded so previously it was more or less a six days game. Now with the advent of One-day cricket a new chapter has been added in the history of cricket. This form of cricket is of one day only as the very name indicates. Each side has to bat 50 over. One-day cricket is more result oriented. But the players of yester years still think that real cricket is test cricket.

Professional Cricket:

For many people cricket has become their way of life. These people include the players, the umpires, the management people, the organizers, the groundsmen, the media people, the corporate sector, the sponsors and the list is endless. Each one of these people gets benefited by each other in one way or the other. For example, the players are paid for every match they play by the management people who in turn get paid by the media people for giving them the telecast rights. The media collects the money from the sponsors and the corporate sector, and the process continues. Previously cricket was played for entertainment and fun only. Now along with these two aspects much more professionalism has come. If we can imagine the game's progress in terms of reaching out to the masses; then, we wonder cricket from the streets of England went to the international arena, and has gone farther and farther to the streets of those countries where it was thought of to be a game of Kings and Princes!

Well, where its next destination would be, we can keep guessing with our fingers crossed.

This may sound very different to you; but if you know anything about Formula 1 and other Grand Prix events that involve high velocity cars, you would not make any movement of the eyebrows. For, the use and the advancement of automobile engineering is done in making these car driving events more thrilling and unique.

Generally vehicles are driven with engines that have gear system and other components, but these sports cars incorporate the services of gas turbines, and therefore, have a very high speed. General vehicles can not even think to gain that speed, as these gas turbines are also used for rockets! And then the friction, which causes so much wear and tear to the tires of the cars: this involves invention and careful advancement in chemical industries, for, the material of the tires needs to be very good.

It is very interesting to understand that engineers and scientists have to build the best vehicles so that drivers can run it. And the same is applied for motorcycle racing also! If you think of chess, Badminton, Hockey, and other similar sports, you would not like to think about Physics and engineering. But when the question of motor games comes, it is obvious that your intention is caught by the people, who actually give their brain to make these games lively and entertaining!

With spring just around the corner and summer fast approaching, if you are like me you look in the mirror and think "Ugh, I think all that sitting in the house during the cold winter has not done anything to help my shape at all." Ya, sure I go to the gym as much as the next guy (maybe about once a week, if I can get there) but what else can I do at home to help?

Now that the weather is finally turning around for the better (well, almost) it's time to get outdoors. The easiest and maybe the most inexpensive and probably one of the safest ways to lose those unwanted pounds are to walk them away. Other forms of fitness may be more publicized, but walking is one of the most common ways to lose weight. Even if you have minor health problems, walking can be very beneficial to your health as well as a help to shed unwanted pounds. If you have a serious medical problem, for instance heart problems, it's best to consult a doctor before starting any sort of exercise program.

Besides that, walking can help you in other ways also. Ways such as helping with diabetes (to keep your blood sugar down), aids in sleeping, temporarily helps with depression, lessons stress, can be a social outlet (if you walk with friends) of course, not to mention the weight loss.

So what do you need to know if you are just starting out on a walking regime? First, you need to look at shoes.
Make sure the shoe you have or intend on purchasing has a good support system, a good heel that is rounded and is not flaring out is probably the best. Make sure the shoe fits properly with no slipping or sliding (that will lead to blisters) along with plenty of room in the toe area. Go shoe shopping at the end of the day, when your feet are slightly swollen and spend plenty of time searching for the right shoe (walk around in them for a bit before purchasing). A good rule of thumb is to replace your shoes every 300 - 600 walked miles also, so your shoes can offer the support that you need.

Clothes of course are another factor you need to look at. Dress weather appropriate! If it is cold, add layers. The layer that is next to the skin should be made from a fibre that draws sweat away from your skin. And certainly you will need to dress for the weather, ie the cold with the next layer being perhaps a fleece one, or for the rain wearing waterproof gear. Don't forget the sun too, make sure you cover yourself with a high spf lotion to protect yourself from the sun's harmful uv rays.

Depending on the pace of your walk you can possibly burn off a fair amount of calories, but why stop there? Why not intensify your walk? Carry weights or walk at a faster pace. Pairing this or any type of walking with a good healthy diet, you will be on the way to the shapely, supple body of your dreams.

What do I need to prepare for my walk? Warm-ups and cool-downs are recommended. A warm-up can be done by starting off your walk by walking your normal pace for about 5 minutes and then going at a brisker pace. A cool-down may consist of decreasing your speed and walking your normal pace for about 10 minutes. By doing both a warm-up and a cool-down, you can decrease your chances of getting muscle injuries or spasms.
Start of slow, by walking for 10-20 minutes for the first week or so then gradually increase your time walking.

How do you stay motivated? Start with a regular walk schedule. Walk at the same time daily, keep track of your walking with a walking journal, or try a contract with yourself, or you could reward yourself with non food items say like a manicure, a day at the spa, or a game of golf (think how ready you will be to WALK the 18 holes!!) So grab your cd player, and your favorite cd and off you go - START WALKING!

From the Dave Letterman Show, March 2, 2005

10. "It's way more exciting than my previous job, running an unlicensed daycare."

9. "When I win, 12 guys who smell like rubber and methanol run over and hug me."

8. "Winning takes guts, determination and my lucky underpants."

7. "All the motor oil I can drink."

6. "Anything over 200 miles an hour I start making noises like a kitty! Meow, meow, meow, meow, meow."

5. "Just so my neighbors know who they're dealing with, when I mow the lawn I wear my helmet."

4. "Switch the "R" and the "C" in 'Racing' and you get 'Caring'."

3. "All the excitement of driving like a New York City cab driver without the risk of getting shot."

2. "Between the g-forces and the fumes, I get a good buzz."

1. "In racing, Jose Canseco doesn't stick your ass with a needle."

As a venue for new writers looking to break into a writing career and make something of a name for them and improve their writing skills, sports reporting is a great way to start. Some people may turn up their noses at the idea but I have found it to be an invaluable experience.
I started out by submitting a story I had written that was related to sports but had more to do with my experiences as a coach and the satisfaction that little league had brought to my family than it did as a true sports story. However, the editor of the local newspaper liked the story and the way I wrote and invited me to become a part of the sports staff as a part time employee covering football games. I actually took the job as somewhat of a lark, figuring I'd just do it for awhile to earn a few extra dollars (very few) and maybe get my name in the paper once in awhile to build up a list of published work.
To my surprise, I found that I loved the whole thing. I liked the coaches and the kids, it was a way to stay involved with young people, and it was good practice for my writing.
From the very beginning my sports editor, a guy named Kevin, ripped into my stories and my style with a vengeance. With Kevin it was a trial by fire, but eventually, by listening to his advice and refusing to quit, I became a much better writer. I learned that there are several ways to write a sports story. You can follow a formula if you have to, giving the who, what, where, when, and why of the game, or even better find a unique aspect of the game and report that. Finding a unique angle or a story within a story is the really sweet part. If you can find the angle, you can use the creative part of yourself to take off and run with it, using the game itself as a springboard to convey a bigger message than the game itself.
Being a sports reporter has taught me a lot of other lessons in writing. I've learned how to edit myself and to read my stories the way other people might read them. I've also learned that sometimes you can do your best writing when you just sit down at the keyboard and let it fly. The pressure of a deadline (which can be very tight at times) forces you to learn how to write under pressure. It teaches you that when you think you have nothing to say, saying something will get you started. Once you get started putting words on paper (or on the screen at least) a momentum builds and it gets easier.
For all you aspiring writers that sit down at the keyboard and know you have things to say but don't really know what they are, sports writing is a way to get yourself started.
I've learned that when you write anything worth writing, you lay a little bit of yourself open to criticism. I've been very lucky in that most of the things I've written have been very well accepted by the people who read my work.
As I've grown into the job, I've also expanded my horizons; going on to write a regular weekly column featuring a character I created to predict high school football games. This character started out as a feeble nutcase. In fact, after the first column I wrote using him as a voice, I wanted to kill him off. To my surprise, the editor refused to let me kill him saying he had gotten a lot of comments about how funny the character was and how they enjoyed reading something really different in the sports column. Since then, I've used this character to comment on politics, the Iraq war, and as a means of getting across my ideas on life and love. Having to write the column on a weekly basis has forced me to look inside myself and write about the things I really care about, which is a necessary part of becoming a writer.
If you're interested in becoming a writer as a career or just a part time job you use to express yourself, you could do a lot worse than starting out as a sports writer. The opportunity to practice your craft leads to their opportunities. Just sitting down at the keyboard and writing anything makes you a better writer, and having your work thrown out to the general public to judge forces you to become a better writer in self defense.
A final piece of advice on sports reporting: Pick a sport you enjoy to start out with. I started with football and have since moved on to baseball, soccer, softball, basketball, and wrestling. Learn your chops on something you enjoy and then apply those lessons to other areas.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association is enacting a new policy for 2005-2006 that attempts to get member institutions to refocus on academic standards, including, a renewed commitment to the reason for attending college in the first place, to obtain a college degree. To get member schools to comply, the NCAA is hitting school athletics where it hurts most, removing scholarships from teams that fail to meet the new standards.

A formula based on 1000 points will be used to determine affected schools. Criteria being used within the formula focuses upon long-term player eligibility and the retention of student athletes. Programs will lose points when athletes become academically ineligible while in school, or if players drop out, transfer or leave for professional sports. To remain in good standing, a collegiate team will need to maintain a minimum score of 925.

According to recent reports released by the Associated Press, the new standards are expected to affect about 410 of the 5,270 Division I teams. In addition, the AP reports that as many as half of the 328 Division I colleges will have at least one team facing sanctions.

According to the NCAA, nearly one of every five collegiate basketball, baseball, and football teams could be penalized if colleges do not make strides in the near future. This far-reaching reform appears to be an attempt to restore the concept of student to the term student-athlete and to put an end to the recent criticisms that collegiate athletics is driven more by money than the desire to see its students earn a college diploma.

The points will be tallied again this spring with scholarship ramifications taking place as soon as this fall.

When we were in sixth grade, we used to read that if you go on playing and playing, you will end up at a dark future, and there will be nothing for you. You will regret later but the time will not come back! This adage was in Punjabi; and we, the students, were always wondering that how can anybody live without playing. No wonder that we were never satisfied with this saying!

When I grew older the meaning of that adage became a little clear, as, if you are not concentrated to take the game or sport seriously; you are going to end your career as a sportsperson. The suggestion was that if you are studying, study carefully and with full concentration without listening to the mind's idiosyncrasies. It is obvious that during childhood, children tend to play more then read or write. But seeing the success of big sportsperson of the world and the appreciation that they beget, it is hard to believe that sports will leave you nowhere. Yes, if want to take sports as a career; we must pay attentions to the guidelines and the rules, so that we may excel in that. There is no benefit in playing irregularly and without any distinction of your health and body you might hurt yourself, somehow!

by Tom Hanson

Surely by now everyone has seen the images of the early season National Basketball Association melee, an altercation considered one of the worst incidents of athlete and fan violence in American sports history. As shocking as those images were, the videotape of the Pistons-Pacers brawl has much to teach us, particularly by providing a strong visual reminder of just how tenuous the societal boundary between public civility and abhorrent behavior truly is.

That NBA incident brings to mind the famous book written by William Golding in the 1950's. In "Lord of the Flies" Mr. Golding tells the story of a group of boys who, once removed from society, begin to behave in an exceptionally appalling manner. Within the book is also one of the most gruesome and memorable of visual images, that of a pig's head mounted on a stick, the bloody head awash in black flies.

The NBA brawl was an equally appalling illustration of the depravity to which individuals can descend when civil reciprocity is lost. Of course, the brawl was even more disturbing as it was real, not some work of fiction.

The unfortunate incident began when Ron Artest, a young man seemingly destined to draw flies, committed a flagrant foul on Ben Wallace, the foul coming with about a minute left in the game and Artest's team winning by a healthy margin. Wallace, taking exception to the hard foul, struck Artest a violent blow to the throat. As Artest went reeling back from Wallace, an on-the-court melee began with players and coaches rushing onto the playing floor.

Responding theatrically, Artest continued backpedaling after receiving the blow. When he reached the scorer's table, he promptly prostrated himself on his back, nonchalantly looking up at the rafters while the remaining players began milling about on the floor. One fan, unable to resist a response to this flamboyant foolishness by Artest, tossed a plastic cup with a clear liquid in it, the cup and liquid striking Artest in the chest.

Analogous to the degeneration of the behavior of the boys in Golding's book, Artest promptly raced up into the stands to accost the fan who had thrown the cup. However, Artest unknowingly attacked the wrong spectator. Many fans rushed in to pull Artest off his target. While this was taking place, other teammates of Artest raced into the stands to support him.

With bad behavior begetting more bad behavior, one of the fans dragging Artest back from the accosted individual began swinging wildly from behind the player, striking Artest in the back of the neck and head with a torrent of blows. In yet another shocking development, a man beyond the circle of grappling players and fans picked up a metal folding chair and hurled it into the vicinity of those milling about, the chair a missile without regard for whom it would strike or hurt.

When Artest finally extricated himself and returned to the floor, one more spectator decided to join the fray and challenge Artest. Continuing the pattern of horrific behavior, Artest promptly punched the man squarely in the face, the violent blow dropping the spectator to the ground.

Yet, as disturbing as all of that behavior had been, the final images from the brawl were perhaps the most troubling. As the players were escorted from the court to the locker room by team personnel, numerous fans pelted the departing players with whatever they could lay their hands on. Some launched the liquid from their cups, others tossed the full cups themselves, while still others hurled boxes of popcorn and other food. at the players. The astonishing torrent of debris included a barrage of verbal abuse as well. Given the preceding behavior, one wondered if the departing athletes would turn on their heels to race back up into the stands and again attack their tormentors.

Though people were highly critical of the behavior of the players, many more observers were appalled by the fans' behavior. The entire spectacle was a classic example of how the delinquent behavior of a single person can set off a chain reaction, one person's behavior causing numerous other people to conduct themselves in a way that they would not otherwise act. Ultimately, the brawl also demonstrated the power and the ability of a mob mentality to influence others.

The NBA melee serves as a clear reminder that when even a modest part of our societal moral structure begins to break down, it is exceptionally difficult, if not impossible to reverse negative behavior. It is particularly startling to know that this is true even when such a breakdown begins with the isolated actions of a single person.

Whether it be the tossing of verbal insults, a cup with liquid, or a closed fist, one truly never knows how others will respond when they are victims of or witness to such negative actions. Like the boys in Golding's book, the fans and players involved in the NBA fracas demonstrated that the boundary between civility and abhorrent behavior is exceedingly fragile.

"I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.” Ecclesiastes 9:11


The saddest movie I've ever watched was the true story of the most talented basketball player of all time who never made it to the NBA. His story came to the forefront because some of the leading NBA stars today remembered his ability; his breathtaking talent which they readily admitted dwarfed their own. But alas, he never got anywhere; he sunk into drugs at a crucial point in his career and barely got away with his life. By the time he'd been through rehab and was clean, it was too late, his opportunity, his chance were gone, forever.

One of the reasons why many of us love sports so much is because it is a reflection of life, it is in fact life. And I say this so as to be able to give two other examples to vividly sink this truism home, from outside sports.

Bill Gates talks of the window of opportunity he saw when he was at Harvard that caused him to quickly drop out of college to take advantage of. Microsoft would never have happened if Gates had done the "sensible thing" and finished college. Time and tide waits for no man.

The other example is the saddest story I've ever read, again a true story. Two brothers, both gifted painters but very poor and unable to afford special college that would help them attain their dreams. Working in the energy-sapping mines one day, they realize that if they do not get out fast, they will never fulfill their dreams. So they save every available coin but realize that both of them cannot make it to this special college for painters. So they decide to do it in turns. They toss a coin and one of the brothers collects all the savings and heads to the college where he graduates and quickly makes his name. True to his word, he returns home and throws a big party in honor of his brother. He gives his big speech and then announces, "Now, my dear brother, it is your turn." At which his brother breaks down into tears and in-between his heavy sobbing announces that work at the mines has taken its' toll. His hands are now swollen, unsteady. He will never be a painter in his life. The chance was gone forever. The happy ending to this story is that the successful painter immortalized his brother by painting his swollen hands held together, as if in prayer.

But the whole purpose of this article is to go beyond the lost opportunities and broken dreams that litter our sports arena to a deeper use of time and a chance by those sports personalities we so admire.

Every sports coach knows that timing is everything. In football the wide receiver has to time his run perfectly to score. A split second too early or too late just won't do.

And this is really the secret of all the great sports heroes we know of.

The greatest boxer who ever stepped onto a boxing ring, Mohammed Ali illustrated the importance of timing in what many (including myself) consider to be his greatest fight ever. Dubbed "rumble in the jungle" it was the fight with George Foreman. Foreman was a much stronger man than Ali was. Indeed part of the excitement of the event was that close analysts knew that if Foreman's deadly left hook caught Ali, the fight would be over.

The early moments of the fight were boring and disappointing. Ali danced a lot, talked too much and basically just held his hands as a shield in front of his face, taking all the heavy punches from Foreman there. He taunted Foreman and basically did so much talking that one would have been forgiven for mistaking the whole thing for some talk show rather than a heavyweight boxing champion of the world contest. But what Ali was actually doing was waiting for his time and a chance.

Ali saw his chance and took it. With lightning speed he suddenly bounced off the ropes and released a volley of jabs that caught everybody unawares, most of all Foreman who had tired by now, following Ali around the ring and throwing punches that were all landing on his forearm. Within seconds the much stronger and better boxer George Foreman was on the canvas and the fight was over. Ali had won a stunning victory.

The champions of sports and the greatest athletes we know are not the strongest or the fastest or even the best. Time and a chance happen to them all.

I hope those of you who are basketball fans in the eastern time zones stayed up to watch the thrilling conclusion of last night's Pistons game versus the Suns in Phoenix. Detroit, last year's NBA champions, had a 10 point lead going into the final quarter. In the end, Detroit relinquished the lead mostly thanks to the Suns' torrid fourth quarter shooting--better than 60 percent--and the return of Steve Nash. So, what does this game tell us about the upcoming NBA playoffs? Absolutely nothing.

The regular season in the NBA is fun, entertaining, and worth watching--that probably goes without saying. But, it is not a good indicator of outcomes with respect to the playoffs. The playoffs in any sport, but especially basketball, are a different animal. Had that been a playoff game last night, the Suns most likely would not have scored 100+ points on the vaunted Detroit defense. While the best two records in the NBA are in the western conference, in San Antonio and Phoenix, I think we can all agree that the road to the finals will probably go through Detroit. They have the experience, the coaching, the personnel on the floor, and the defensive prowess necessary to wear any team down in a seven game series.

The problem with Phoenix, if you can believe there actually is one, is defense. I know this isn't exactly a nuclear secret, but it's worth noting. I do not believe the Suns can overcome their abhorrent defense with great offense--in the playoffs, that is. Defensive intensity is turned up a notch in the playoffs. (For a good example of this, hearken back to the Pacer-Pistons series in the Eastern Conference finals last year.) In other words, in order for the Suns to make up for the heightened intensity on defense that most teams will bring to the floor, they will have to score 120+ points a game. This is not going to happen. Their major weakness on defense is at the power forward position. In a long seven game series, teams will have the opportunity to exploit Shawn Marion's inability to play defense by throwing legitimate power forwards at him like Rasheed Wallace, Tim Duncan and Chris Webber--don't get any ideas, Phillyfan. The Suns, for this reason, will not be able to go seven games with the Pistons in the East, or the Spurs in the West.

The Spurs, on the other hand, have more playoff experience on the bench and on the floor, not to mention great defense. (This was the only team to give up fewer points than the Pistons in the regular season last year.) With the Spurs being the clear pick to come out of the West, the Pistons would have to be the Eastern Conference's representative. The only other serious contender in that conference is the Miami Heat, a young team without playoff experience. They aren't going to the finals this year, but soon they will be there.

This playoff season looks to be one of the best in many years.

Here is how I rank the teams and players in the NBA, currently:

Teams

1.) San Antonio Spurs
2.) Detroit Pistons
3.) Miami Heat
4.) Phoenix Suns
5.) Dallas Mavericks
6.) Sacramento Kings
7.) Seattle Supersonics
8.) Houston Rockets
9.) Cleveland Cavaliers
10.) Philadelphia 76ers

Players

1.) Allen Iverson--improved his passing ability to go along with his amazing scoring ability, improved his attitude on and off the court, pound for pound the toughest player in the league
2.) Tim Duncan--simply the best post player in the league, smart on both sides of the ball, a team player, the Big Fundamental
3.) Lebron James--arguably the best all-around game since Jordan's prime, scoring, rebounding, steals, assists, defense, the best athlete to ever play the game
4.) Dwayne Wade--the steal of the draft two years ago, amazing slasher, ridiculous spin move going to the basket, great body control
5.) Steve Nash--the new John Stockton, he runs the Suns with the intricate choreography of an Usher video
6.) Tracy McGrady--proven himself on a good team, lacks the selfishness this year that sometimes crept into his game in Orlando
7.) Kobe Bryant--Amazing talent, if only he were a team player, great on both sides of the ball, too selfish most of the time, really needs Shaq
8.) Kevin Garnett--Perennial MVP because without him the Timberwolves are the Hornets, scoring, rebounding and assists, he does it all
9.) Shaquille O'Neal--Still the most dominant player in the league, imposes his will, seems to be coasting through the regular season
10.) Amare Stoudamire--ridiculous athlete for his size, has the desire to dunk on everybody, scoring 25 points per game on a team loaded with offensive talent, the preemminent posterizer

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No site that has anything to do with baseball would be complete without referencing the classic song "Take Me Out To The Ballgame", written by Jack Norworth in the early part of the 20th Century. Here are the lyrics:

"Take Me Out To The Ballgame" By Jack Norworth

The Refrain By Itself (Frequently Sung By Itself In Games)

"Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd.
Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack,
I don't care if I never get back,
Let me root, root, root for the home team,
If they don't win it's a shame.
For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out,
At the old ball game."

Full Song - The 1927 Version:

Nelly Kelly love baseball games,
Knew the players, knew all their names,
You could see her there ev'ry day,
Shout "Hurray," when they'd play.
Her boy friend by the name of Joe
Said, "To Coney Isle, dear, let's go,"
Then Nelly started to fret and pout,
And to him I heard her shout.

"Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd.
Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack,
I don't care if I never get back,
Let me root, root, root for the home team,
If they don't win it's a shame.
For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out,
At the old ball game."

Nelly Kelly was sure some fan,
She would root just like any man,
Told the umpire he was wrong,
All along, good and strong.
When the score was just two to two,
Nelly Kelly knew what to do,
Just to cheer up the boys she knew,
She made the gang sing this song.

"Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd.
Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack,
I don't care if I never get back,
Let me root, root, root for the home team,
If they don't win it's a shame.
For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out,
At the old ball game."

Full Song - The 1908 Version:

Katie Casey was base ball mad.
Had the fever and had it bad;
Just to root for the home town crew,
Ev'ry sou Katie blew.
On a Saturday, he young beau
Called to see if she'd like to go,
To see a show but Miss Kate said,
"No, I'll tell you what you can do."

"Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd.
Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack,
I don't care if I never get back,
Let me root, root, root for the home team,
If they don't win it's a shame.
For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out,
At the old ball game."

Katie Casey saw all the games,
Knew the players by their first names;
Told the umpire he was wrong,
All along good and strong.
When the score was just two to two,
Katie Casey knew what to do,
Just to cheer up the boys she knew,
She made the gang sing this song:

"Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd.
Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack,
I don't care if I never get back,
Let me root, root, root for the home team,
If they don't win it's a shame.
For it's one, two, three strikes, your out,
At the old ball game."

When the New York Yankees pulled off the trade that brought Randy Johnson to the Bronx, the catch phrase of sports fans was the traditional, the "rich get richer". Die-hard fans struggled with the fact that the Bronx Bombers, already loaded with talent, would now have one of the game's very best pitchers to add to their vaunted roster.

However, when the "big unit" signed a two-year contract extension as part of the completion of the deal, it was more than the Yankees that could be described as the rich get richer. That contract extension guaranteed that the left-hander would continue to receive his $16 million salary, already set for 2005, for both the 2006 and 2007 seasons.

Now I know I am probably just jealous that Johnson received a $48 million dollar contract for the next three years but I couldn't help but try to compare that to the average American worker. Even though that salary seems very high, the man does have to train vigorously to maintain the type of conditioning that accompanies professional sports stature. In fact, to give him a fair shake, I decided to assume he was the typical hardworking guy that tries to make ends meet by working 8 hours a day during the week then puts in 8 hours of overtime each Saturday, earning time and a half on the weekend.

Working full time, all year round, for 52 weeks, and assuming that Johnson was to get zero vacation time (a very hard worker), Johnson would work 2080 hours of regular time and another 416 at time and a half, or the equivalent of 2704 hours a year. At that number of hours, his hourly wage becomes a more reasonable number to understand. If I did the math right, that's about $5,755 per hour.

To put that in perspective, before his work day is half done the big unit will have already earned more money than the average retiree on social security would earn in a year and before his day is done will have earned more than the average teacher makes in a year.

I know that thinking this way is probably just hard feelings on my part and after all, Johnson is a major league pitcher. So, in fairness to Johnson, I took a look at what he has accomplished over the last three years in the majors that makes him worth $16 million per year for another three years.

When discussing pitching, three key factors seem very important for a starting pitcher, the number of wins he earns, the number of innings that he pitches and the number of batters he strikes out. Strikeouts shouldn't really be all that important but because they are deemed to put fans in the seats, they are given serious weight.

Over the past three years, the hard-throwing left-hander has won 46 games, pitched a total of 620 innings, and struck out 749 batters. This translates to an average yearly performance, to the nearest whole number, of 15 wins, 207 innings pitched, and 250 strikeouts.

At $16 million per year, the way of assessing Johnson's wages in baseball terms is that he earns a little more than a million dollars for each win. Another method of assessing that salary would be that he is paid approximately $78,000 for each inning he pitches, or that he receives $64,000 for each strike out.

Now I know it is not fair to assess the entire salary to just wins, or just innings or strikeouts. All of these are important so in fairness to Johnson he should be paid for each of these items as separate wages. Suppose the lefty has an entirely incentive-laden contract based on these three factors. To receive $16 million for this level of performance we would need to set up the following incentives. Johnson would earn $500,000 for each win he earns. A half million dollars per win sounds about right; after all winning is the essence of professional sports. Then to be fair, management should give him $15,000 for each inning he pitches and $20,000 for each strikeout. As we mentioned before, strikeouts put fans in the seats so it would be good to give extra money for the strikeouts.

Under this scenario, Johnson would earn $7.5 million for his 15 wins, $3.1 million for pitching his 207 innings, and $5 million for his 250 strikeouts. Of course that would give him only $15.6 million a year.

But I have been told that starting pitchers take turns keeping the pitch counts, recording the number of pitches for the pitcher who starts the game the day before it is their scheduled turn to pitch. That happens about 32 times a season, so at about $12,500 per game, or $1,385 per inning of a nine-inning game, then the "big unit" would have fully earned his $16 million salary.

I decided to do another comparison by adding in the number of times Johnson had to bat over the three year period but then realized, now playing for the Yankees in the American League he won't even have to bat. So I stopped calculating and went back to what people have been saying about this deal all along.

The rich get ..........

by Tom Hanson

When John Chaney sent one of his players into a recent game to play physically rough against an opposing team, Chaney crossed a line that a coach should never cross. Not only did his actions lead to the injury of a player from the opposing team, Chaney essentially undermined the integrity of amateur sports by sending a message that the concept of playing honorably and fairly was not a requirement for his team.

Though Chaney made a terrible mistake, I believe he deserves credit for attempting to reconcile his terrible error in judgment. First, after thinking about the incident, he stated that he was suspending himself from coaching the next basketball game his team was involved with. Mind you, Chaney himself doled out his punishment, not one of his superiors.

Later, when University Officials became aware that the other player had broken his arm and therefore was out for the remainder of the season, his supervisors decided it was time to act. Chaney was then suspended for the remainder of the regular season, a total of three games.

Having been handed a punishment, Chaney once again took it upon himself to go a step further. Since the injured player would be unable to play for the remainder of the season including the conference tournament, Chaney suspended himself from the tournament as well, meaning that he would not only sit out the remaining regular season games but would sit out as many Atlantic Ten Playoff games that his team would be involved with. In addition, Chaney took time to meet with the injured player and his family, offering an apology and to personally take care of any financial expenses related to the injury.

People should give Chaney credit for attempting to correct his serious error in judgment by taking full responsibility for his actions and for doing the best to rectify his mistake. I find it refreshing to see a person publicly own up to such errors and to willingly go beyond the consequences handed down by his superiors.

By doing so, Chaney has turned an ugly incident into a true learning experience for his players. These young men have learned first hand that people make mistakes, even their beloved coach. They also learned first hand the steps to take when a person does make an error: admit it, correct it, and learn from it so that it never happens again.

Count me among those who applaud Chaney for doing his best to turn this ugly incident into a lesson for others.

BALLS, SHOES, AND YOUR MIND:
AN INTRODUCTION TO BOWLING

By Rae A. Costa


Bowling may seem easy, but it's more than just rolling a ball down the lane and knocking down pins. It takes skill, a lot of practice, and sometimes a little luck to consistently score high. Here's a quick introduction to the fun sport of bowling.

BE MENTALLY STABLE

Concentration is an absolute must in the sport of bowling. While practicing your technique you should also practice on solidifying your mental game. By that I mean you should condition yourself to block out distractions once you step onto the approach. Distractions come in a variety of forms. Abrupt movement in your peripheral vision, an unexpected loud noise, or a camera flash can cause you to become sidetracked when you should be focused on bowling.

A lapse in concentration happens to all of us, even the pros. We all have different ways of combating distractions, but maintaining a solid mental game is crucial to improvement, maintaining high scores, and obtaining the end result of winning. How do we achieve this?

Focus on something you want to improve in your game. For example, I have a bad habit of letting my hand come over the top of the ball instead of staying behind it on my release. When I get ready to bowl I concentrate on keeping my hand behind the ball. By being conscious of what my hand is doing I can keep my hand in the correct position, thus make a better shot. With practice my movements eventually become subconscious and I can focus on other aspects of my game.

Think about what you want to improve. It could be your arm swing, your hand or foot positioning, or your knee bend. Wherever you want to see improvement, concentrate on doing that one thing right. This will help keep your mind focused and your game on track.

BALLS & SHOES

Along with a good mental game you should have good equipment as well. Using the balls and shoes provided by the bowling alley is okay if all you want to do is have fun and aren't concerned with improving your game. If you are serious about bowling having a ball drilled specifically to fit your hand and wearing shoes that fit comfortably are musts.

BALLS

Choosing which ball to use can be confusing. There are hundreds of balls on the market to choose from, but basically there are three types:

Plastic Balls - Bowling balls provided at the bowling alleys are plastic balls. The plastic surface creates very little friction with the lane causing it to slide. This results in a straighter shot with little pin action.

Urethane Balls - This type of bowling ball is made from a form of plastic called polyurethane. Urethane balls generate friction on the lane, which makes it easier to throw a ball with a curve.

Reactive Resin - Like urethane balls, reactive resin balls also generate friction on the lane and will curve. However, these balls create a more powerful pin reaction, which makes them a favorite of more experienced bowlers.

Deciding which ball is best is a tough choice. Talk to a more experienced bowler or someone in the bowling alley's pro-shop. They can help you choose a ball that best suits your style and skill level.


SHOES

Personally, I would not want to wear a pair of shoes that thousands of other people have worn before me so I choose not to wear shoes provided by the bowling alley. Regardless of whether you bowl once a year or once a week, I recommend buying your own pair of shoes.

Shoes come in a variety of colors and styles and some have changeable soles to suit varying approach surfaces. Like bowling balls, shoes can sometimes be expensive. For the beginner a sturdy shoe that fits comfortably is a good place to start. As your skills develop you can always upgrade, but until then an inexpensive shoe that fits properly is all you need.

SAY WHAT?

Have you ever watched professional bowling on TV or listened to experienced league bowlers? They seem to have a language all there own. Here are a few words that might help you understand bowling just a little bit better.

Anchor - The last person to bowl in the team lineup.

Approach - The part of the lane that the bowler stands on when he/she is ready to bowl.

Baby Split - The 2-7-8 pins or 3-9-10 pins left standing after throwing your first ball.

Brooklyn - For right-handers it's the first ball thrown that hits left of the headpin. For left-handers, it's the first ball thrown that hits to the right of the head pin.

Dead Wood - A pin that has been knocked down, but remains on the lane or in the gutter and needs to be removed before play can continue.

Pocket - It's the ideal spot for the ball to hit the pins. For right-handers it's between the 1-3 pins. For left-handers it's the pocket between the 1-2 pins.

Sleeper - On a spare it's the pin directly behind another pin, such as the 8-4.

Turkey - Three strikes in a row.

By: Kathy A. Schaeffer

Sports. The mere word can still send the same terror through me as it did when I was in high school. Phys Ed was, shall we say, never my favorite class. I hated the horrid gym suits we were required to buy, I hated the public showers and I even hated the Presidential Awards that I had a chance to earn. I might have actually had a chance if not for that dreaded walk-run making up the last phase of the testing. Remember that? And the pull-ups. And the track dashes. Okay, okay, so I never had much of a chance. Maybe that's why it ended up on my list of things disliked.

This isn't to say that I didn't play sports, but only when I was forced into it. In retrospect, I know that I should have embraced it all. I know now that I’m good enough at hitting any balls thrown at me in baseball that I can still wow much younger nephews. I know that I can sink a lot more baskets than I ever thought was possible. I even know that facing that horrible walk-run with gusto would *not* have caused the ambulance to be squealing up to the football field as I thought it might have done back then. I couldn't make my parents have to hear "Sorry, folks, she just keeled over halfway through the walk-run!" I'd definitely still have a problem with those showers, however.

With a phys ed class happening twice a week, of course I couldn't wiggle my way out of each of them, but that didn't stop me from trying. There were actually some activities and sports I enjoyed. Archery was fantastic and I didn't hit anything or anyone but the target, much to my surprise sometimes. It was a fun sport and I didn't even let the sting of the string hitting my arm bother me. Finally a sport I could not only enjoy, but do well with! Unfortunately we never had enough archery!

For some insane reason that I can't for the life of me understand all these years later, I enjoyed the balance beam. Perhaps it was the gracefulness of the movements I learned to do on there, such as the arabesque. It could have resulted in severe injuries that track or baseball would never have caused, but I don't think I was very cautious as a teenager. It is rather comical remembering that I was given one "spotter" and she was always either chattering non-stop about a totally different topic, or not paying attention to gym class at all. If I'd fallen off the opposite side of where she was standing, I didn't have a chance. If I'd fallen on her side… well then we'd both get injured. But still, I enjoyed my short time in gymnastics.

Volleyball was fun… when I could hit or set up the ball. Field hockey was fun… when I remembered in which direction to run for the right goal area. Even "the horse" could have been halfway fun… when I didn't catch a sneaker in the handle and have a rather unladylike "girl meets floor" incident. Those times were worse when the large, heavy curtain in the middle of the gym was pulled open and "the boys' side" was visible. How embarrassing! As if that hideous dark blue gym suit wasn't bad enough!

Well, I was happy to see graduation day come, mostly to never have to worry about phys ed class again in my life. I do still (absolute truth here!) have nightmares about finding out it's the day of the walk-run in high school, and I am horrified to realize I hadn't remembered to skip class.

I counted my lucky stars that I'd never been injured. Maybe if I hadn't tried to ditch the class as often as I did, that would be different, but that's the way it happened. No injuries for such a sports klutz was quite an achievement in itself. Why was there no presidential award for *that?!*

My school never offered football on the phys ed curriculum while I was a student. It wasn't a gender thing, the boys didn't have it either. I was always so glad for that. I don't know what possessed me to do it, but soon after graduation I accepted an invitation to play a game of football with some friends in one of their front yards. Five minutes into the game, I suffered my first ever sports injury. It still aches sometimes when the weather is very damp or cold.

I realize that the "guts and glory" might come with a story of some big bulky bully tackling me flat to the ground when I was finally feeling better about sports and not required by some school rule to participate. That part of the story isn't to be, though.
To make it short and maintain some semblance of my pride, I will just say that the thing injuring my ankle back then was not some incredible hulk who went on to pro football. It was a GOPHER HOLE, alright?! Perhaps I should have wiggled my way out of that game.

This past week, the PGA Tour turned to match play for the seventh World Golf Championship, Accenture Match Play Tournament at the La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, California. Though match play forms the basis of much of amateur golf competition as well as the highly publicized Ryder Cup Matches between Europe and America, stroke play is the norm for the PGA Tour.

At the event this past week, David Toms took home top honors with outstanding play. Because match play involves more luck as well as nerves of steel every day of the tourney, for the golf purists, this tournament is extremely exciting.

It is thrilling for these deep-rooted fans to see the middle tier of golf professionals knock off the world's elite players in head to head competition. However, television ratings for the Sunday finale were down from a year ago, because this year the finals did not involve the most popular tour players.

Unfortunately for the PGA Tour, golf fans come in two distinct groups, those who love good golf and those who love certain golfers. The first group still tuned in Sunday but the latter group wanted to see the world's top players. Ultimately, those folks tuned out when the finals involved players like this year's finalists, Toms and Chris DiMarco.

Of course, tuned out fans mean less television revenue for the Tour. With Tiger Woods the only one of the World's top golfers to have success at this event over the seven year period, the PGA Tour is bound to scrutinize this unique tourney carefully.

Those who love golf hope that the interest of the game and the exciting opportunity match play provides for the middle level tour player will trump the almighty dollar. Even if it is only for the purists, the PGA Tour should honor those fans and offer match play for the foreseeable future.

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By Jared Field

Yesterday, the American press got the memo: John Chaney would not be coaching his Temple Owls in the Atlantic Ten Tournament this year; this, coming on the heels of one of the ugliest incidents in recent memory in college basketball. During a recent game versus their equally ecumenical cross-town rival, Saint Joseph's, Chaney put a seldom used 250 pound behemoth into the game to "send a message." Coach Chaney was furious over what he claimed were illegal screens being set by St. Joe's players and being overlooked by the officials. The message was heard, loud and clear. Coach Chaney said, in a press conference, after the game that he sent in "...what we used to do years ago...the goon." Chaney's goon, Nehemiah Ingram, roughed up several players with hard fouls and elbows before fouling out. One of his victims, senior forward John Bryant, hit the floor hard enough to break his arm; his final season at Saint Joseph's ended in an instant.

Coach Chaney, an icon at Temple for better than three decades, apologized for his post-game tirade, initially suspending himself for one game. He has since been suspended for the remainder of the season, including the Atlantic Ten Tournament--ostensibly Temple's only shot at making the NCAA tournament would be an A-10 tournament crown.

This sort of behavior is reprehensible in sports. What he did to that young man was immoral, irrespective of the injury. Had Chaney been Tommy Amaker, Mike Bray, Mark Few or Mike Davis, he would have been fired. In other words, had he been a good, not great, coach, less-tenured and somewhat inconspicuous, he would not have a job right now. For those of you who are taking notes, that is a textbook example of situational ethics.

Thanks, in part, to Coach Chaney's antics, I am reminded of one of the great ironies in sports that doesn’t get its due. Has anyone noticed a significant difference between religious schools and public schools with respect to sports, in both high school and college? I know I haven't. Having gone to both public and private (religious) colleges, I know full well the difference between the two with regard to educational experiences. However, the enlightened morality that is taught to students and applied to every base of knowledge within the educational experience of college does not seem to translate very well into athletics.

Here in my hometown, I have seen players being actively recruited by our only Catholic high school. This school is a perennial powerhouse in nearly every sport it participates in. I can only imagine that if they were making a serious attempt to proselytize to young people, a student's ability to play sports wouldn't matter. But, time and time again, this Catholic School calls on only the best athletes in the area at Eucharist time.

Similarly, in college athletics, I have yet to encounter a serious difference between our religious institutions and our public ones. Year in and year out religious universities in this country are burdened with all the vices of our public schools. Notre Dame has had problems, in the recent past, with instances of rape from members of its football team, and NCAA rules violations by boosters. Both Boston College and Holy Cross have had problems, in the past with sports gambling. Why do these things happen? Simple, money follows winning. (Take a minute to consider all the shenanigans going on at Ohio State during their national championship run under Jim Tressel.) Notre Dame wants to win football games. They can't be content with having a good football team with a roster full of good young men. They want to be the Notre Dame of old, the Notre Dame that won National Championships. They cannot be the Notre dame of old, however, without recruiting players who, for lack of a better term, are misfits. Furthermore, they cannot keep such misfits on the field without a little extra help from the Boosters there in alumni row. Winning, it seems, requires losing.

Beyond that, Notre Dame has, historically, held itself to be on a higher level than the better than 100 other Division 1A programs in this country. In football, Notre Dame has stubbornly remained independent, without conference affiliation. This is purely an economic consideration on their part. Staying out of a conference is not good for college football; it's just good for Notre Dame. This way, they can make millions of dollars from NBC to televise all their home games. It's this insatiable hunger for money that makes the difference between Notre Dame and any other school without the feigned interest in the precepts of any faith, somewhat negligible.

So, I guess this discussion begs the question: Should such religious institutions be different?

The answer is a resounding, "yes!"

Historically, athletics have been a major part of the experience of going to college. Being a student-athlete by its very nature means that one is just as much an athlete as a student.

Religious schools, by and large, have forfeited much of their moral credibility by succumbing to the desire for winning that fosters capital gains. Nobody likes to cheer for a loser, granted. But, Notre Dame rarely ever loses more games than they win. What, after all is more important? Wins and losses? Or, perhaps, the number of decent human beings who graduate out of their program? I'll go with the latter.

I never once heard John Chaney or anyone from the administration at Temple say anything about how the aforementioned incident struck against the very fiber of the Catholic faith. This is, after all, the "love your neighbor as yourself" and "turn the other cheek" religion. This would have been a great chance to make an inroad toward difference. I must only assume that, with respect to sports, schools like Temple do not want to hold themselves to higher standards of ethics.

In the past, Notre Dame couldn't bring itself to recruit misfits like Warren Sapp, Randy Moss and Lavernious Coles--and it has paid the price, economically. (Also, Notre Dame turned down Rich Majerus for their vacant coaching position some years back on account of his supposed gambling problem.) But, how many wins, how much money, could make up for what Notre Dame will lose by forfeiting the integrity of the University?

Universities should not be farm clubs for professional sports; they are institutions of higher learning first and foremost. Notre Dame, Temple, and other religious schools need to reconsider their mission, and begin to restore what has been lost ever since being different became unprofitable. If it is, as I assert, next to impossible to win national titles without giving up, to some degree, academic and religious integrity, Notre Dame and others have a serious decision to make.

by Tom Hanson

Today, we seem to be unable to go any length of time without hearing about some extremely negative amateur sports story. The recent incident involving Temple University basketball Coach John Chaney is just one more example of the loss of perspective that many players, fans, and coaches have regarding the proper role of amateur sports.

These negatives have led many people to question the importance of the sports experience for our children. In light of the highly-publicized stories of sport's related behavior gone awry, many have come to the point of questioning public support for athletics, claiming that our cultures' over emphasis on sports is essentially corrupting our youth.

Up in the tiny State of Maine, people are noting these concerns very seriously. But instead of seeking to eliminate the sports experience for student-athletes, there is a movement to refocus the athletic experience on its initial intent. In that state, a select panel of school leaders and student-athletes, working in conjunction with the University of Maine, has recently released a report entitled Sports Done Right.

This well written and informative document seeks to clarify the role of sports in the educational process for Maine's children. The report firmly acknowledges the all-important role sports can play in the development of our students, provided of course there is proper emphasis on the rationale for offering athletics.

Sports Done Right identifies seven basic core principles that form the basis for a sound amateur sports program. Though the focus is clearly on the middle and high school sports experience, the vast majority of the material could translate to the collegiate level as well.

These core elements start with the philosophy and values that form the basis for school sports programs, then follows those principles through the expertise of coaches to the leadership set by administration. In the most basic core principle, "Philosophy, Values and Sportsmanship," the report focuses on the many positives of sound athletic programs, the ability to teach the important values of respect, responsibility, fairness and discipline. Most importantly, if school programs have a proper emphasis on such values, athletes learn one of the most essential of sports lessons, how to handle "success with grace" and "failure with dignity".

In the second core principle "Sports and Learning," the document speaks to the very heart of why schools should sponsor athletic programs for students. Building on the first core principle that seeks to teach the values of hard work and discipline, the second principle sets its sights on refocusing amateur sports towards its proper emphasis. Instead of seeing athletics as preparation for college or professional sports, schools and community members should see athletics as a preparation for life.

Though Sports Done Right places a focus on the positive approach, the report also takes note of the many "out-of-bounds" behaviors that often surround these activities. The document lists a two page summary of such behaviors and attitudes, actions that lead to an unhealthy emphasis on sports. The section is broken into various categories with discussions about the roles of parents, community members, and coaches in promoting physically and emotionally healthy opportunities for student-athletes.

Maine, by releasing Sports Done Right, takes direct aim on improving the youth sports experience for all of Maine's middle and high school students, doing so by revisiting the reason that athletics have been a part of the educational experience for children. Given the current public concerns and the great negativity surrounding many amateur sports programs, it is essential that schools and communities return to the principles that the basis of the sports experience is to supplement the teaching done in the classroom.

Most importantly, the report pointedly reminds everyone of just what that role should be. Other states would do well to follow the lead of this northeastern neighbor. Moreover, perhaps a few copies could make their way to the athletic directors and other administrators at the collegiate level as well.